| In this article Hirsh and Killion identify eight fundamental principles of profession learning that are essential to system-wide and school improvement.<span> </span>The article discusses that despite the large research base on effective professional learning, we still lack a clarity around which practices are most effective. The authors stress that principles, not practices, are essential to sustained system-wide and school improvement because principles transfer across context and content. The importance of principles can guide our decision making, despite the differences of context and content across education. Some of the principles the authors discuss are that: “leaders are responsible for building capacity in individuals, teams, and organizations to be leaders and learners,”ambitious goals lead to powerful actions and remarkable results,” and “evaluation strengthens performance and results.” |
| This newly-updated catalogue provides summaries of 19 training modules for school leaders produced by the Southern Regional Education Board with support from The Wallace Foundation. The catalogue includes a summary of the newest module, Building Instructional Leadership Teams that Make a Difference. It also reflects significant revisions and updates of the other modules, which cover a range of leadership topics including: how to prepare leaders in the use of data; literacy and numeracy instruction; and organizing time, space, staff and resources to improve student achievement. |
| Assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of school boards and superintendents is a crucial step in meeting district goals. This article from District Administration discusses how a school board and superintendent tracks progress toward goals and how the public can understand this progress. The article provides an example of a process a district leadership team can undertake to assess and evaluate their work. Elements of the evaluation are included in addition to common pratfalls to avoid. |
| This report by the National Conference of State Legislatures, a partner in Wallace’s education leadership initiative, offers a detailed summary of those actions which include measures affecting leaders’ roles, responsibilities and authority; leadership standards; program accreditation, mentoring; licensure and certification; professional development; leadership assessment; compensation and incentives; and governance issues. |
| With recent research highlighting the importance of leadership in improving student achievement, states are taking action to help prepare and support high-quality school leaders. The Legisbrief from the National Conference of State Legislatures highlights legislation enacted in 2007 that support school leader improvement around the issues of leadership standards, improving preparation programs, licensure, and professional development. |
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