Perspective

Sue Swaim

The Importance of Leadership

Courageous and collaborative leadership is a critical component to implementing successful schools for young adolescents.

NMSA's position paper, This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents states that, "Ultimately such leadership empowers others to make the often needed hard decisions as they address the education and well-being of each and every student." Those of us who are currently in leadership roles or have experienced leadership responsibilities understand the truth and importance of that statement.

Of course, leadership and its impact on school reform and student learning are important topics across the education continuum, not just at the middle level. The Wallace Foundation has commissioned a series of reports through their Learning from Leadership Project. One report in the series is entitled "Review of Research: How Leadership Influences Student Learning." I recommend that you take the time to read the report and discuss the findings and recommendations with your colleagues. You can download an executive summary or the entire report at www.wallacefoundation.org.

In the opening letter, M. Christine DeVita, president of the Wallace Foundation, says "It turns out that leadership not only matters: it is second only to teaching among school-related factors in its impact on student learning…. The impact of leadership tends to be greatest in schools where the learning needs of students are most acute."

The researchers conclude that successful leadership plays an extremely significant-and frequently underestimated-role in improving student learning. Furthermore, the report focuses on three areas that make up the basic core of successful leadership practices that ultimately support student learning: setting directions, developing people, and making the organization work.

As I read the report, which looks at the full spectrum of leadership, I kept saying to myself, "This sounds like NMSA's This We Believe!" When considering what the integrated implementation of the 14 characteristics in This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents actually means, I think one would agree it's all about setting a clear course for school improvement; supporting and developing the skills, talents, and academic growth of all members of the learning community; and creating a school organization that clearly supports rather than inhibits teaching and learning.

In this day and age of high expectations and too frequent criticism of middle level education, reading This We Believe should be a priority for every middle level educator. It is a "living document," meant to guide the growth and development of schools for young adolescents and help us specifically focus on our daily opportunities and responsibilities.

How are these recommended characteristics implemented in your school? Are the 14 characteristics being implemented in concert with one another? Or, has your school chosen to deal with a few while ignoring others? How are your school's staff development initiatives focusing on these issues? Are people working together in study groups to focus on learning results and analyzing student work with the goal of improving student learning, achievement, and instructional practices?

These are a few examples of questions that can be addressed by using This We Believe: Successful Schools for Young Adolescents as the framework for your discussions and a guide for school improvement.

As a former middle level principal, I know that time is often in short supply and heavy demand when trying to nurture and support conversations such as these. But, I believe courageous and collaborative leaders are creative people who find time for those things that truly make a difference in the culture and educational programs provided in their schools…and I believe this is an opportunity that can truly make a difference. Many schools are using NMSA's new Professional Development Kit: Understanding and Implementing This We Believe-First Steps to help facilitate these conversations.

Our common goal must be to implement successful schools for young adolescents that focus on one thing: the learning and healthy growth of every single student. Join with your colleagues to make and value the time needed to be thoughtful and reflective about your goals and the journey you're taking to reach those goals. Together we can make a positive difference in the lives and education of young adolescents. Increased student learning and academic achievement provided in developmentally appropriate ways for every student can become a reality.

Sue Swaim is executive director of National Middle School Association.