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Proven Strategies for Developing Excellent Leadership at Under-Performing Schools

In a policy paper released by The McGraw-Hill Research Foundation, “Strategies for Rescuing Failing Public Schools: How Leaders Create a Culture of Success,” co-authors Alberto M. Carvalho and Dr. Steven L. Paine, argue that strong leadership can help even the worst performing schools achieve dramatic changes in achievement and morale.

Mr. Carvalho is superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the nation’s fourth largest school district; Dr. Paine is senior advisor to The McGraw-Hill Research Foundation and the former state superintendent of schools for West Virginia.

Based on their experience transforming some of the lowest-performing schools and districts in the U.S., the authors suggest it is critical to select, develop and appoint superintendents and principals who will insist on cultural and environmental change while instituting high standards of academic achievement and devoting greater resources toward developing exceptional teachers.

A critical element for success, the authors write, involves changing the culture of a low-performing school or district from one that expects failure to one that insists upon success. Cultural change is difficult to quantify and assess, the authors acknowledge, making it equally challenging to systemize and scale. It can be accomplished, however, by developing and advancing education leaders committed to cultural change and high academic standards for all students.