ACSA Executive Director Bob Wells


Assistant Executive Director, Communications Julie White


Editor Susan Davis


Board of Directors President


Alice Petrossian


President-Elect David Gomez


Vice President Marc Ecker


Vice President for Legislative Action Lisa Gonzales


Past President Bob Noyes


Directors


Tom Armelino, Aaron Benton, Todd Cherland, Carl Christensen, Pat Crowder, Randall Delling, Rod Federwisch, Susan Gilmore, Diane Gischel-Lingo, Julianne Hoefer,


Darrien Johnson, Barry Kayrell, John Keiter, Ofelia Lariviere, Belen Magers, Robert Phillips, Ralph Porras, Joan Rosas, Judi Rossi,


Mary Sieu, John Snavely, Teresa Williams Editorial Office


1029 J Street, Suite 500 Sacramento, CA 95814


(916) 444-3216 or (800) 608-ACSA www.acsa.org


Advertising Office


Diana Granger (530) 642-0111


Subscription Information (650) 692-4300 or (800) 608-ACSA


Leadership magazine (ISSN 1531-3174) is published bi-monthly in September/October, November/December, January/February, March/ April and May/June by the Asso ciation of Califor- nia School Admin istrators, 1575 Bayshore Hwy., Burlingame, CA 94010. (USPS 282-740) Annual subscription: $60, single copies; $12 (includes state tax). Subscriptions outside the U.S. add $20 ($80 total). Periodical postage paid at Burlingame, California and additional post offices. Articles and advertisements are the expressions of the author(s) and advertisers and are not statements of policy or endorsements of ACSA. Postmaster: Send address changes to: Leadership magazine, ACSA, 1575 Bayshore Hwy., Burlingame, CA 94010.


To our readers


What is possible when student learning is the centerpiece of what we do at school


Dear Colleague: The Common Core State Standards, which help define what it


means to be college and career ready, clearly display a much higher level of expectation for California’s students. “Proficiency” is no lon- ger enough, and students will need a different set of skills to dem- onstrate their depth of knowledge. This new goal is ambitious, but providing all students equal access to a high quality education that prepares them for work or college as well as effective citizenship is a task school leaders welcome.


The challenge, as always, comes as we work to implement the standards. Author Jay


Westover (page 12) writes that identifying and closing gaps in student readiness “is truly a moral and economic imperative of our nation’s schools. … Clarifying why the gaps exist and how to intervene early to further develop essential skills is vital to the academic and career success of our students.” The authors featured in this issue of Leadership magazine provide a variety of strategies


for supporting the college and career readiness of our secondary students. From literacy instruction that emphasizes both content knowledge and thinking skills (page 8) to effective transition plans for students moving into middle school (page 16) and high school (page 22) to re-engaging chronic truants (page 26) and establishing learning-centered grading prac- tices (page 30), this issue shines a light on best practices for preparing the next generation.


Standards only part of the solution So much is possible when student learning is the centerpiece of what we do in our schools.


And while California’s move to the Common Core Standards is a step forward, the articles here remind us that standards are only part of our reform efforts. It is important to remem- ber that the relationships we create with our students and staff also make a major difference in the level of academic success we achieve. I am truly proud of the leadership our district and school administrators provide each


and every day to make our dreams for student success come true. As I travelled around the state this year I have been overwhelmed by the dedication of our ACSA members, even in these most difficult times. Thank you for providing me with this opportunity to serve you and learn from you.


Sincerely,


Alice Petrossian ACSA President


May/June 2012


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