Principals encourage student academic gain by the ways in which they govern the school, build strong collaborative relationships, and organize and allocate professional work time. Because these activities are important predictors of academic achievement, along with quality teacher activities, further information is also provided about how…

An assessment of the relative and absolute impact of various educational reform movements on student learning and an analysis of school superintendents' roles in such movements are the purposes of this study. Mailed surveys to 70 experienced New York school superintendents yielded a 78.6 percent response rate. The first phase focused on the…

Identifying an instructional leader as a principal who engages in activities that significantly affect the learning that goes on in the school, this article profiles an elementary school principal recognized by the Oregon Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development as one of the state's most effective instructional leaders. The author…

This literature review was intended to provide information and suggestions regarding the role and evaluation of the principal. It is supplementary to two reports commissioned by the California State Legislature on school principals. In the first section on the role of principals a chart is presented summarizing conclusions from the two original…

Principals should support school libraries because it is in both their students' and their own best interest to do so. Quality library media programs can enhance student achievement, and informed, committed librarians can help principals enhance their own administrative practice. This ERIC Digest discusses improving student achievement, including…

in this era of standards, high-stakes testing, and accountability, school leaders need to know how they can increase the achievement of their students. Researchers have found that high-achieving schools show common, key factors, including challenging learning experiences for all students, a principal who fulfills his/her role as the instructional…

This book, which is a companion to the books, "Shaking up the Schoolhouse" and "Inventing Better Schools," presents the Working on the Work (WOW) framework for improving student performance by improving the quality of schoolwork. Field-tested in schools nationwide, the framework describes the 12 essential components of a WOW…

This book explains how the Chicago Public Schools use accountability and probation to promote school improvement. When schools do not measure up, they are placed on probation. The probation is intended to help schools find and carry out solutions to the problems they have been unable to solve on their own. The book focuses on probation as it has…

Describes the development and implementation of New York City's School Improvement Project (SIP), a program designed to improve schools through school-based planning groups. Discusses the program structure and outcomes, and indicates that SIP schools with greater student achievement show more commitment to the SIP process. (Author/MJL)

Research evidence now lends legitimacy to the importance of the principal's instructional leadership in promoting school effectiveness. (Author/JM)

Describes the Garrison School in New York City's South Bronx and the principal who made it the only school in its district that is meeting or exceeding national achievement standards. (Author/JM)

Examined the nature and extent of the school principal's role in affecting student learning. Found no direct effects from the principal's instructional leadership, but did find an indirect influence on overall school effectiveness through actions that shape the school's learning environment. (ET)

Highlights how one Texas school district moved from being a district in which token representations of minority achievement were considered evidence of districtwide success to being a district where success for all children is the operating paradigm. Guided by vision, culture, and district support, teachers have raised student achievement levels…

Reviews research on characteristics of quality teachers, methods for improving teacher quality, and student and teacher behaviors that are indicators of teacher quality. Draws implications for principal hiring and mentoring practices. (Contains 30 references.) (PKP)

This study examines the impact of secondary school culture on the dual student outcomes of academic achievement and engagement with the institution attended. Elements of school culture were identified, specifically the roles played by administrators, the professional teaching staff, and the adolescent peer group. A mixed-method research design was…