Building a Bridge to Success: From Program Improvement to Excellence

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1607097958 ISBN 13: 9781607097952

Publisher: R&L Education, 2010

Principals want all students to bridge the achievement gap. Sometimes they just don't know how to make it happen. This book looks at what successful principals do to close the achievement gap and move their schools from one that needs improvement to one that is succeeding for all students.
With current federal legislation, a principal who does not reach the proficiency mandates on the prescribed timetable ends up with a great deal of second guessing and community outcry. How can a principal avoid that result and instead be recognized as someone who went above and beyond to be sure that all of the students crossed the gap successfully in the right place and at the right time? In this book, the authors provide principals with the "how" to exit Program Improvement, the "protocol for success" that professionals in other fields have access to on a daily basis. Principals reading this handbook will have at their fingertips detailed descriptions of the behaviors needed to build success.

About the Author:

Bonita (Bonnie) Drolet is the coauthor of the best seller, Building Teams, Building People which she wrote with her husband, Thomas Harvey. Together, Drolet and Harvey have created a dynamic consulting business, Management by Design.
Deborah Turner is director of curriculum and instruction K-12, for the largest land area district in California.

Review:

Building a Bridge to Success provides a clear path that will drive instructional leaders towards great success. You will instantly identify with each principal's story as they grapple with their daily challenges. Simply said, if you only buy one book this year, let this be the one. (Tom Baumgarten, assistant superintendent, Morongo Unified School District, Twentynine Palms, California)

I loved the book! It clearly defines the leadership behaviors necessary for today's principals. My principals love the short self-assessments and strategies described in detail for each essential behavior. We have made plans to use the book as our guide for the next year, as we explore these elements of effective leadership one by one. (Donna Libutti, superintendent designee, Central School District, Rancho Cucamonga, California)

This handbook is a most useful guide for both practicing and aspiring school principals who want a positive leadership experience. Research is supported by practical and straightforward strategies for leading a school to success alongside supportive stakeholders―the very best way to lead! (Conni Campbell, professor of education, Point Loma Nazarene University, Point Loma, California)

This book is a hands-on opportunity to change and move your school towards success. I appreciate the practical application strategies and suggestions that can be implemented now. Building a Bridge to Success helps all instructional leaders have a to-do list for success at their school. An engaging read, with simple yet excellent activities to initiate immediately, this book doesn't make you wait for leadership success. Use this book, and it is yours now! (C. McVay, principal, Palm Vista Elementary School, Twentynine Palms, California)