Everybody knows where they are going and why.  The focus is on achieving a shared vision, and all understand their role in achieving the vision.  The focus and vision are developed from common beliefs and values, creating a consistent direction for all involved.

Resources Websites:

• http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/re-engineering/keyissues/leadership.shtml
• http://www.effectiveschools.com
• http://www.prrac.org/pubs_aiu.php
  "Add It Up: Using Research to Improve Education for Low-Income and Minority Students"
• http://www.ascd.org/framebooks.html (listed under school-based management).

Publications:

• Barth, R.S. (1990). Improving Schools from Within:  Teachers, Parents, and Principals Can Make the Difference.  San Francisco, CA:  Jossey-Bass Publishers.  See Chapter 11, Visions of Good Schools
• Conzemius, A. and O'Neill, J. (2001).  Building Shared Responsibility for Student Learning.  Alexandria, VA:  ASCD.  See Chapter 2, Focus.
• Cunningham, W.G. and Gresso, D.W. (1993).  Cultural Leadership:  The Culture of Excellence in Education.  Boston:  Allyn and Bacon.  See Chapter 4, Vision, Not Criticism, Supports Excellence.
• DuFour, R. and Eaker, R. (1998).  Professional Learning Communities at Work.  Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement.  Bloomington, Id.:  National Educational Service and Alexandria, VA:  ASCD.  See Chapter 4 on Mission and Vision and Chapter 5 on Values and Goals.
• Glickman, C.D. (1993).  Renewing America's Schools.  San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass Publishers.  See Chapter 2, The Covenant:  Establishing Common Principles of Teaching and Learning.
• Holcomb, E.L. (2001)  Asking the Right Questions.  Techniques for Collaboration and School Change.  (2nd ed.) Thousand Oaks:  Corwin Press
• Louis, K.S. and Miles, M.B. (1990)  Improving the Urban High School.  What Works and Why.  New York:  Teachers College Press.  See Chapter 9, Vision Building in School Reform.
• Sagor, R. (1996).  Local Control and Accountability.  How to Get It, Keep It, and Improve School Performance.  Thousand Oaks, CA:  Corwin Press.  See Chapter 3, The Three Building Blocks of Accountability:  Vision Setting, Action Research, and Performance Assessment.  Senge, P.M. (1990).  The Fifth Discipline. The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization.  New York:  Doubleday Currency.  See Part III, The Core Disciplines: Building the Learning Organization.
• Senge, P., Cambron-McCabe, N., Lucas, T., Smith, B., Dutton, J., and Keliner, A. (2002).  Schools that Learn:  A Fifth Discipline Fieldbook for Educators, Parents, and Everyone Who Cares About Education.  New York:  Doubleday Currency.  See Part IX, School Vision.
• Schlechty, P.C. (2001).  Shaking Up the School House.  How to Support and Sustain Educational Innovation.  San Francisco, CA:  Jossey-Bass.  See Chapters 2, 3, and 8.
• Schmoker, M. (1999).  Results:  The Key to Continuous School Improvement (2nd ed.).  Alexandria, VA:  Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.  See Chapter 2, Goals.