Leadership Vol. 41, No. 2 • November/December 2011 Features


8 Leaders in transition The “passing of the torch” of leadership is a critical juncture at which school improvement can either benefit from new energy or lose momentum. By Terry Wilhelm


Columns


7 To our readers Leadership matters for learning, especially during tough times By Alice Petrossian


23 What I learned from a


second grader When times are tough there isn’t much alternative to focus- ing on what matters most By George Manthey


28 Books worth reading By George Manthey


12 The shaping of culturally proficient leaders Three Latina superintendents share the stories of their childhoods, careers and challenges, and their vision to transform schools into places of equity and excellence. By Carmella S. Franco, Maria G. Ot t and Darline P. Robles


17 Building a community by tearing down assumptions Students and their families will become more willing partners with schools when they truly believe that educators have unconditional hope for the children in their care.


By Julie C. Perron


18 One community working together School, civic and community leaders have joined forces with the goal of eliminating the achievement gap in San Jose by 2020. By Charles Weis


24 Focus on success A comprehensive study and follow-up interviews expose the strategies that successful middle grades principals share. By Susan Frey


Cover design by Stephen D. Long


30 Charter school oversight: The new frontier Some areas of charter school oversight are easy to overlook. Here are a few practical tips for ensuring you meet your legal and moral obligations, and your charter schools are “deliver- ing the goods.” By Stephanie Medrano Farland


33 Using the MOU to strengthen charter oversight The old expression “the devil is in the details” rings true for charter school MOUs.


By Melanie A. Petersen


34 Climate change Take these six steps to creating a positive school climate and your job satisfaction may soar! By Anthony C. Frascone


36 Streamlining the hiring process Job postings can result in hundreds of applicants during this economic downturn. Here is one way to reduce the time and costs of hiring, and find the very best person for the job. By Karen DePrater


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