Our educational system must achieve this fundamental goal in order to prepare all young people to become productive members of the 21st century workforce and active citizens who contribute to our community life. The danger signs are unmistakable. High school students rank near the bottom of international comparisons of math and science. While public schools have made modest improvements in the face of significant challenges, we must dramatically accelerate the pace of progress so that we can help all of our children reach high academic standards and succeed. The evidence is clear-outstanding school principals and effective leadership are fundamental to dramatic improvement in schools.
Research confirms what many parents, educators, and business leaders understand.
Effective leadership is an essential ingredient to success in schools. Successful school improvement typically involves a talented, effective school principal that brings together teachers, parents, and students to define and accomplish a common mission to help all children reach high standards of achievement. Half of our nation's urban school districts already report shortages of qualified school principals, and this trend is about to get worse. Too many people with the potential to become great school leaders are not pursuing this opportunity. It is essential to provide talented potential school leaders with an attractive pathway to a successful principalship.