The following reports are available for download as pdf files. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pdf files.

Leadership for Student Learning: Urban School Leadership - Different In Kind and Degree  (September 2001)
In this "politically incorrect" essay on big city schools, author Larry Cuban spotlights the importance and singularity of urban leaders in Pursuing school reform. In addition to debunking three "obvious fictions" about large urban school districts, the paper makes some decidedly political challenges. A glimpse of the tough tasks ahead is provided through a list of five suggestions for improving both cities and schools.

Transcript of October 4 roundtable discussion at the National Press Club:
The author joins respondent panelists from the Education Trust, Schoolnet.com, and the American Association of School Administrators to discuss urban school leadership issues, including prescriptive school reforms, teacher turnover and diversity, whether urban superintendencies are too big for one person, and to what degree urban schools alone can improve the chances of poor children.


Task Force Reports

The following reports are available for download as pdf files. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the pdf files.

Report of the Task Force on State Leadership

Leadership for Student Learning: Recognizing the State's Role in Public Education  (May 2001)
Report highlights: Citing the "statutory diversity," "unwieldy assortment" of priorities, and "dysfunctional and incompatible relationships, responsibilities, and capabilities" typifying state educational governance systems, Task Force members conclude that states must address three educational leadership challenges: (1) leadership development; (2) bipartisan coalition-building; (3) systematic approaches to implementing standards and assessments. The report concludes with "free advice for the powerful" and "Eleven Guiding Principles" to spark discussions of state leadership for student learning.

Transcript of May 17 roundtable discussion at the National Press Club: Task force members join state leaders from Pennsylvania and Virginia to discuss state leadership challenges from the legislator, school board, business, and state education agency perspectives--including lots of give-and-take from panelists and audience about issues such as national standards, where state leaders for education will come from, and the politics of state educational leadership.


Report of the Task Force on Teacher Leadership

Leadership for Student Learning: Redefining the Teacher as Leader  (April 2001)
Highlights: Citing "the vital role of the teacher in providing instructional leadership," task force members conclude that teaching must become a genuine profession and teachers must "get in the game." The report describes the clashing images of teachers, recent progress in the push for professionalism, and promising practices promoting teacher leadership. Concluding with questions to drive local discussions, the report urges communities to examine teacher leadership issues by involving a broad spectrum of members, collecting data, gaining consensus, and planning specific actions.
For more information, see the press release.

Transcript of April 19 roundtable discussion at the National Press Club:
Task force members join teacher leaders from the District of Columbia,Fairfax County, Virginia, and Montgomery County, Maryland, to discuss teacher leadership challenges from the classroom perspective--including lots of give-and-take from panelists and audience about issues such as pay for performance, influencing policy, and teacher autonomy.


Report of the Task Force on District Leadership

Leadership for Student Learning: Restructuring School District Leadership  (February 2001)
Highlights: Recognizing that there is no "one-size-fits-all" solution, task force members encourage district leaders to focus on the common goal of improving student learning and to use it as the fundamental priority to organize the school system. Strategies for restructuring include planning for recruitment and succession, creating and maintaining an informed leadership base, building a learning organization, and holding leadership accountable. The report includes promising practices as well as questions for use in initiating community discussion and action.
For more information, download the press release, available as a pdf file.

Transcript of February 8 roundtable discussion at the National Press Club:
Task force members join school and community leaders from Arlington, Virginia, to discuss district leadership challenges from a suburban perspective-including lots of give-and-take from panelists and audience about charter schools, superintendent turnover rates and roles and responsibilities.


Report of the Task Force on Principal Leadership

Leadership for Student Learning: Reinventing the Principalship  (October 2000)
Highlights: The core mission of the principalship must be redefined as leadership for student learning. To "reinvent the principalship" for 21st century schools, communities must fill the pipeline with effective school leaders, support the profession, and guarantee quality and results. Guidelines and suggested questions are included for those who wish to start conversations on reinventing the principalship in their communities.

Transcript of December 12 roundtable discussion at the National Press Club:
Task force members join school and community leaders from Baltimore, Md., to discuss the leadership challenges from a local urban perspective -- including lots of give-and-take from the audience and advice for using this report in your own community.

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