Creating Excellence: Becoming an A+ School

Creating Excellence: Becoming an A+ School is intended to be used by first year principals who have inherited a school that is failing or not achieving to a desired level, as well as by seasoned principals who are struggling to improve their school’s academic performance. It can also be used effectively as a textbook for graduate students preparing for a career in educational leadership. The book is straightforward in its presentation of practices and strategies supported by research and theory. It has been written to share the knowledge base, impart the technical skills, and highlight the interpersonal skills recommended to enable educational leaders to create excellence and enable their school to become an A+ school. Within the chapters, tools, techniques, and concrete examples are offered. Educational leaders are encouraged to select, revise, and adjust proposed actions based on their own judgement and according to their local conditions, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. Regardless, improving instruction in order to increase student learning must be the focus.

Vernon G. Smith served 20 years as a practicing principal where he was successful in improving the academic achievement of students. Currently he is the Coordinator of the Educational Leadership Program at Indiana University Northwest.