"Strengthening the skills and knowledge of the nation's 100,000 principals is likely to have more immediate payoff in raising student performance than any other area of school improvement because it is central to raising standards, improving teacher quality, and holding schools accountable for results, according to a report by the National Staff Development Council (NSDC).
The report calls for a national strategy to ensure that all principals learn to become instructional leaders - spending large amounts of time observing teaching and helping teachers focus attention where it is needed most to raise achievement. It also urges that a portion of federal funds be targeted for professional development for principals who work in schools serving disadvantaged students."
