January/February 2014 Leadership

ACSA Executive Director Wesley Smith

Assistant Executive Director, Communications Julie White

Editor Susan Davis Board of Directors

President Marc Ecker

President-Elect Randall Delling

Vice President Tom Armelino

Vice President for Legislative Action Lisa Gonzales

Past President David Gomez

Directors

Eric Andrew, Aaron Benton, Tammie Calzadilias, Will Ector, Holly Edds, Lisette Estrella- Henderson, Rod Federwisch, Jeff Harris,

Julianne Hoefer, Linda Kaminski, Barry Kayrell, Heidi Lawler, Debbra Lindo, Rose Lock,

Lou Obermeyer, Cindy Petersen, Ralph Porras, Joan Rosas, Judi Rossi, John Snavely, Edward Trimis, Steve Van Zant, Jean Wells

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

Put your best intentions into practice and energize your vision for students

Dear Colleague: There are times as a leader when you know just what to do. And

then there are times when it feels as though any decision you make could be the wrong one, and you alone will be responsible. To maintain your vision and continue down the path you have cre-

ated, you need to keep alive your enthusiasm and optimism even on the worst of days. This issue of Leadership magazine offers tips for en- ergizing your vision for the best possible education for your students. Building and sustaining a culture of continuous improvement in

student outcomes is key to successful learning and teaching. “Without continuous improve- ment in instruction, there is no reason to think that students will do any better this year than they did last year,” writes Dennis Fox (page 8). To do this, he says, “You will need a broad range of knowledge and skills, an assortment

of tools and strategies, and a willingness to challenge teachers to evaluate the effectiveness of their instructional practices.” Fox outlines the four questions that are essential to answer in order to make adjustments in instructional practices that result in markedly improved student learning.

Strategies of high performing leaders Is there a clear set of data “that can point us to a path of student success that can be

replicated by all schools and districts?” asks author and Assistant Executive Director Chris Adams (page 17). A study that included the district Adams formerly led did find there were certain strategies that high-performing districts used to help schools, students and sub- groups perform better than statistically predicted. While outlining the similarities in those strategies, Adams cautions that the paths the

districts took were different, as each system has different stakeholders and needs. Common, however, is the need for strong leaders who can move their organizations forward. “It seems everyone wants to tear down and find fault with leaders,” Adams writes, “but

the successful leader will work though this to create a shared culture of ownership, where everyone excels together.” No matter how strong we may be, eventually all leaders “endure some level of unpleas-

antness based on a tough decision we had to make that unfortunately did not meet with 100 percent approval,” write Lisa Gonzales, Charles Young and Gretchen Shipley (page 12). And now, that disapproval can be expressed instantly through social media. The authors explain how to respond (or not respond) to online attacks, and offer advice on how to move on. As you move on to a successful 2014, please know that ACSA is committed to helping you

achieve even greater success. Here’s to an outstanding new year! Sincerely,

Marc Ecker ACSA President

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