As a principal on this project I or anyone who were to undertake one similarly should have a thorough knowledge of the school improvement process. In addition, he or she should know the state and local expectations in the core curricular areas including such things as grade level content expectations. The principal should be schooled in the process of action research and stay abreast of the latest educational theories about teaching and learning such as differentiated learning and collaborative planning. Finally, the principal should be expert at using all types of technology, at ease with modeling its use and actively seeking opportunities to incorporate it into this plan.
As to the skills, this plan would require a skilled consensus builder, exceptional speaker and writer, and a visionary. Too, he or she must be able to assess the effectiveness of an overall program and its component parts remaining vigilant for weaknesses whose alternation would lead to successful overall school improvement
Appendix
1.School climate includes the behaviors and attitudes of teachers, students and administrators.
2.School leaders should have a vision for where they want to take the school.
3. Collaboration is essential to improving school climate.
4. There is a direct correlation between school climate and student performance.
5. There are a number of successful school wide climate programs including PBS.
6. Students respond to changes when they feel they are a valued part of that change.
7. School administrators must be educated in the latest theories of learning to...
Successful schools refrain from punitive measures such as out-of-school suspension.
9. Successful schools have implemented in school suspension and guidance techniques.
10. School improvement efforts require involvement of all stakeholders.
11. School improvement programs must be monitored and adapted where needed.
12. Successful milestones should be celebrated.
13. Differentiated instructional and other teaching techniques improve student outcomes.
14. Parents must be an integral part of the change process.
15. Successful administrators are skilled in the fine art of persuasion.
16. Collaboration is essential to change.
17. Although not all ideas will be accepted, all should be heard.
18. Children want to learn and make connections with adults.
19. Communities are more supportive of education when they are made a part of it.
20. Change begins with visionary leaders.
21. Schools with positive school climates are models for failing schools.
References
McEvoy, a. & Welker, R. (2000). Academic behavior, academic failure and school climate: a Review. Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. 24:65-78.
Marshall, M. (1993). Examining school climate: Defining factors and educational influence.
Georgia State University: Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate and Classroom Management.
Wang, M. (1993). Toward a knowledge base for school learning. Review of Educational
Research. 63:249 -- 294.
