This book presents overviews of a wide variety of topics that are of priority concern to school district leaders. The topics deal with challenges and issues that are crucial to the success of public schools. The book is designed to get the reader up to speed quickly on important topics and issues, to learn where to get more information about areas of special concern, to share information with staff that will make them more productive, to make research-based decisions, and to provide dynamic leadership to carry school districts and students into the 21st century. Each of the 20 items discussed contains research and additional information on the topic and its implications for school and school district leaders; for example, school board-superintendent collaboration, superintendents' leadership, managing change, school-improvement efforts, performance standards, how children learn, early reading instruction, focusing staff development on student achievement goals, effective media relations, special education law, explaining test scores to parents and the public, creating a caring school community, and answering tough budget questions. (DFR)