Education in the twenty-first century demands that we examine school practices as never before. The research on teacher effectiveness abounds. It has influenced federal, state and local policies resulting in changed certification practices and improved professional development opportunities with a focus on student achievement results.

These same conditions have impacted district and school leadership. This pragmatic book offers a road map to identify, design, and strengthen leadership skills. It is very readable, eminently sensible, and provides sound philosophical advice to support and sustain growth in leadership teams in any school or district.

Some additional key features of this book include:

A hiring process modelClassroom observation processParadigm for leadership professional developmentProcess for leadership observationsExtensive research supporting book's tenets

MARY ELLEN FREELEY is associate professor in the Department of Administration and Instructional Leadership in the School of Education at St. John's University and past president of ASCD. Prior to joining the university faculty, Dr. Freeley served for twelve years as superintendent of schools for three Nassau County districts as well as an assistant superintendent for curriculum and an elementary school principal.

CONTENTS

Foreword by Karin Chenoweth
Chapter 1 Leadership: Essential to Continuous School Improvement
Chapter 2 Leadership and Learning: The Need for Professional Development in Leadership
Chapter 3 Effective School Leadership: Everyone's Focus, Everyone's Responsibility
Chapter 4 Who Shall Be Hired?
Chapter 5 Hiring the Best School Leaders
Chapter 6 Creating Instructional Leaders
Chapter 7 Classroom Observations: The Foundation of Professional Development
Chapter 8 Professional Development for the Leadership Team: A Paradigm that Works!
Chapter 9 Leadership Observations: Supporting Continuous Growth
Chapter 10 Strong Leaders Sustain Strong Schools
Chapter 11 Going the Distance: Becoming a Leader of Leaders
Bibliography