Northwest Sampler
Summing Up
Our conversations with principals clearly show the degree to which educators across the Northwest strive to be effective school leaders. These principals prioritized instruction in key areas based on their assessment of the data, aligned curriculum schoolwide, and aligned all strategies with the schoolwide priorities they identified. They motivated their staff members and students to perform at their highest levels by creating a culture of caring, trust, and support; and a sense of urgency and accountability for change—"no excuses," as Cal Gilbert asserts. These leaders foster a culture of continuous learning in which they learn what strategies will make a difference, and motivate their staff members to learn and become leaders in the school.
Next we turn to a pair of recent studies focused on specific practices employed by principals in improving schools. The themes from the research echo the strategies that the Northwest principals use in their schools. As you read, we encourage you to draw your own connections between what the research says, what educators are doing in practice, and what approaches might be most appropriate for your school.
