Effective instructional and administrative leadership is required to implement change processes.  Effective leaders are proactive and seek help that is needed.  They also nurture an instructional program and school culture conducive to learning and professional growth.  Effective leaders can have different styles and roles--teachers and other staff, including those in the district office, often have a leadership role.

Resources Websites:

• http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues61.html  "Issues about Change. Professional Learning Communities"
• http://www.sedl.org/change/issues/issues91/4.html  "Comprehensive School Improvement: Addressing the Challenges. What are we learning?"
• http://www.prrac.org/pubs_aiu.php  "Add It Up: Using Research to Improve Education for Low-Income and Minority Students"

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 3, Becoming Colleagues; and chapter 4, Building a Community of Learners.
• Conzemius. A. and O'Neill, J. (2001). Building Shared Responsibility for Student Learning. Alexandria, VA:  ASCD. See chapter 4, Collaboration.
• Cunningham, W. G. and Gresso, D. W. (1993). Cultural Leadership: The Culture of Excellence in Education.  Boston: Allyn and Bacon. See chapter 5, Collegiality is the Catalyst.
• DuFour, R. and Eaker, R. (1998). Professional Learning Communities at Work: Best Practices for Enhancing Student Achievement. Bloomington, IN. National Educational Service. See chapter 2, A New Model: The Professional Learning Community.
• Glickman, C. D. (1993). Renewing America's Schools: A Guide for School-Based Action. San Francisco, CA:  Jossey-Bass Publishers. See chapter 6, Becoming an Educative Community.
• Hord, S. M. (1997). Professional Learning Communities: Communities of Continuous Inquiry and Improvement. Rev. Ed. Austin. Texas: Southwest Educational Development Laboratory.
• Lieberman, A. (Ed.) (1995). The Work of Restructuring Schools: Building from the Ground Up. New York:  Teachers College Press.
• Merenbloom, E. Y. (1990). The Team Process: A Handbook for Teachers. (3rd ed.). Columbus, OH: National Middle School Association.
• Schmoker, M. (1999). Results: The Key to Continuous School Improvement. (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA.  ASCD. See chapter 1, Teamwork.
• Stigler, J. W. and Hiebert, J. (1999). The Teaching Gap: Best Ideas From the World's Teachers for Improving Education in the Classroom. New York: The Free Press. See chapter 7, Beyond Reform: Japan's Approach to the Improvement of Classroom Teaching; chapter 8, Setting the Stage for Continuous Improvement; and chapter 9, The Steady Work of Improving Teaching.

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