Building a Bridge to Success: From Program Improvement to Excellence

"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

"I loved this 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, Central School District, Rancho Cucamongo, California

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

"This book is a hands-on opportunity to change and move your school toward 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

Principlas want all students to bridge the achievement gap. Sometimes they just don't know how to make it happen. Building a Bridge to Success looks at what successful principals do to close the achievement gap and move their schools from ones that need improvement to ones that are 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.

Bonita 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.