Leadership effectiveness targets the need for leadership on campus to exhibit characteristics and skills known to promote and implement positive educational change. Of the elements proven to have the greatest degree of impact on student achievement, school leadership is second only to classroom instruction . Examples of successful school turnaround efforts without effective leadership are rare (Leithwood, Louis, Anderson, & Wahlstrom, 2004).
Key strategies establish the foundation for each Critical Success Factor. The activities supporting each CSF must be thoughtfully developed by stakeholders to ensure each campus initiative is successful. The strategies noted here, when implemented correctly, can support the development of each Critical Success Factor. While the following is not a definitive list, the evidence-based components provided here are proven to show a high rate of success.
Providing strong leadership by (1) reviewing the performance of the current principal; (2) either replacing the principal if such a change is necessary to ensure strong and effective leadership, or demonstrating to the SEA that the current principal has a record in improving achievement and has the ability to lead the turnaround effort; and (3) providing the principal with the operational flexibility in the areas of the scheduling, staff, curriculum, and budget.