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ASCD Special Report

October 20, 2009

ASCD SmartBrief Special Report: Developing School Leaders (Part I)
Amid the ongoing debate about education reform, there is one thing all can agree on -- the need for educators who can lead from the classroom on up through the superintendent's office. But what is the best way to develop strong leaders?

This two-part ASCD SmartBrief Special Report, "Developing School Leaders," looks at good leadership practices and how to best nurture future leaders.

Part I examines the qualities of strong leaders and how educators can improve schools through collaboration. Part II, to be published Thursday, looks at how educators can best navigate in tough times and ways to train future leaders.

If you don't receive ASCD SmartBrief on a daily basis and find our report on Developing School Leaders useful, we urge you to sign up for our timely e-newsletter. ASCD SmartBrief delivers the stories making news in your profession directly to your inbox -- for FREE.

At a Glance

Transformative school leaders focus on priorities
The best school leaders create a sense of community and collaboration while keeping their focus on teaching and learning, writes Educational Leadership editor in chief Marge Scherer. Schools improve when leaders focus on the essentials, such as literacy, and are "transformers" -- striving to make their school a better place for students and staff. Educational Leadership (10/2009)

What Makes a Good Leader?

Positive thinking can drive strong school leadership
It is possible for school leaders to stay positive despite adversity, according to education professors Jerry L. Patterson and Janice H. Patterson, who interviewed 67 school leaders as part of their research on successful leadership. Quality leaders can turn negatives into positives by staying focused on the task at hand, adapting to changes and remaining flexible, staying true to personal values and taking responsibility for actions, they write. Educational Leadership (10/2009)

First-time principal brings skills from the business world
Judy Adams left a career in business 12 years ago to give back to her community as a teacher, and she has since been promoted to principal at a Maryland elementary school. "I think the combination of my experience is great for this position," Adams said. "Having to manage people is a big part of what a principalship is about." The Gazette (Gaithersburg, Md.) (9/10)

Great leaders offer clear goals, make fair decisions
A former classroom teacher who works as an educational consultant and literacy coach writes that quality school leadership is essential to education. Rebecca Alber offers teachers a few ways to spot great leaders. Administrators should offer clear goals, make fair decisions, have a firm grasp on classroom instruction and be visible in the classroom, she writes. Edutopia.org (8/14)

Other News

Educators offer tips, insight into effective school leadership
Educational Leadership (10/2009)

Working Together

Sessions show two educators are better than one
William L. Sterrett and Matthew Haas -- two principals in the same district -- write in Educational Leadership that they have benefited from monthly discussions just as teachers find value in professional collaboration. The principals found the sessions useful because they focused on problem-solving and improving instruction. They also observed teaching in each other's schools and offered feedback. Educational Leadership (10/2009)

Award-winning principal has inclusive management style
Middle-school Principal Sheila Kahrs has been honored for her leadership style, which includes shared decision-making. Kahrs includes teachers in some hiring decisions, prevents high turnover by focusing on mentoring and uses data to drive instruction. Despite a high number of low-income students, the school produces some of the highest test scores in Georgia. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (9/16)

Teachers need time for in-person, online collaborations
West Virginia is encouraging teacher communication through regular in-person meetings and collaboration on the Web site Teach 21. Experts say that teachers are not given enough opportunities to talk to and learn from each other, a problem that could be solved by offering teachers a time and place to brainstorm together, writes journalist Suzie Boss in this blog post. Edutopia.org (7/31)

Other News

Study: Quality school leadership is key to teacher retention
WALB-TV (Albany, Ga.) (9/24)

Revitalizing Schools Through Leadership

Training to help improve school leadership in New Orleans
About 30 New Orleans principals are working to improve their leadership skills during a yearlong training program that organizers hope will lead to student improvement. As area schools are given greater discretion in hiring and budget matters, more trained leaders will be needed. The goal is "to really grow my skills as a leader and have great impact on my staff so they can in turn can have a great impact on student achievement," said Principal Chad Webb. WWL-TV (New Orleans) (10/1)

Principal sees progress at second turnaround school
Principal Matthew Tessier has led one California elementary school off of a federal watch list for poor student achievement, and he is close to doing the same for a second. Tessier spends about 80% of his work time in classrooms, emphasizes writing instruction and gives educators 90 minutes per week to share instruction ideas and techniques. "It starts with leadership," said his district's superintendent. "He's the type of person that inspires greatness." San Diego Union-Tribune (9/19)

Aspiring Principals Program produces student results
Elementary- and middle-school students in New York City showed quicker gains in English-language arts at schools where principals completed the 14-month Aspiring Principals Program, according to research findings. About 15% of the city's school leaders have completed the program, which teaches turnaround strategies and steers graduates to helm low-performing schools. Education Week (premium article access compliments of EdWeek.org) (8/28)