From the Superintendent's Office

by Tom Watkins, Michigan Superintendent of Public Instruction

Welcome to another issue of Leading Change! With this issue, the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) highlights the State Board of Education Task Force Initiative for Elevating Educational Leadership. Myriad challenges limit the time school principals have to cruise hallways; observe classes at random; or chat leisurely with students, teachers, and parents. Today’s principal must be a curriculum expert, consensus builder, economist, technology whiz, safety engineer, special education expert, grant writer, media liaison, and an advisor in everything from instructional design and delivery to state standards and federal regulations. The school principal is the key to successful school improvement. Principals must look ahead, think strategically, plan creatively, assess carefully, and act boldly on the best information that is available. Principals must Lead Change, not just react to it.

Michigan’s Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) scores are in, and we are encouraged by the trends revealed; but we are still cautious, knowing that there are greater targets toward which we need to strive. Those targets are the standards set by the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Governor Granholm has joined parents and educators in our efforts to achieve the goals of NCLB for students. The Governor is calling upon government agencies, businesses, the faith-based community, and other community groups to help schools in need of improvement make significant progress in student achievement through the High Priority School Initiative. You can read more about this MDE sponsored initiative in this issue of Leading Change (see “Strong Committed Leadership Can Turn Schools Around”). The leadership skills of principals are at the heart of this partnership for success.

Given the crucial role that principals play in the life of a school and the success of its students, we must find a way to identify the skills and attributes of good school leaders. At the same time, we must determine what those leaders can do to close the achievement gap among Michigan students. The State Board supports the reinstatement of principal certification in Michigan and has directed MDE staff to begin preparing standards for consideration. Districts are invited to voice their perspectives about what instructional leaders need to know and be able to do to lead our schools. What are the current issues and demands that principals face both now and in the future? What knowledge and skills do they need in order to respond in ways that benefit Michigan’s students? What standards are districts currently using to prepare principals? We welcome your input and support your efforts!

Use this issue of Leading Change to open a dialogue about educational leadership within your learning community. Copy and share the articles, read the supplemental Web-linked articles and resources, distribute copies, and create conversations that will lead to improved school leadership and student achievement.

It’s my hope that you will find this publication to be a valuable resource about the many efforts taking place around our state to ensure the best possible education for ALL students in Michigan.

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