The following is the fifth of a multi-point field report from a LYS Principal.

SC,
The principal who wants the most for her students must realize that no one else is as motivated as she is, once the school is perceived as being successful and the minimum requirements of accountability are met. 
Most of the world, including central office, only becomes concerned with instruction and learning if the school makes the paper by missing accountability standards. I have observed that in far too many schools and school districts, once minimum standards are met, most educators just want to be left alone.

SC Response You are more correct than you could ever imagine.  For many, the status quo has the same effect as a narcotic, and they will attack anyone who they perceive as a threat to the “known and accepted.” This understanding lends credence to the E. Don Brown postulate that, “… the principal is the one actor in the system that can best combat the urge to coast on past and/or false performance.” 
The shorter version of this understanding is that the rate and level of continuous campus improvement is directly correlated to the drive and intellectual honesty of the principal. 

The critical factor remains… Leadership.

Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn…

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); PowerWalks CLC (Networked Formative Observation Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: Illinois ASCD Fall Conference (Multiple Presentations), Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Fall AP Conference, The Fundamental 5 National Summit (Multiple Presentations) 
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