Pamela M. Robbins – författare

"An encyclopedic compilation of insights on the major issues confronting school principals. Suggestions are concrete, sensible, and approachable." From the Foreword by Roland S. Barth

Here's the essential information you need to succeed - whether you're starting your first principalship or moving to a new post. You'll find out how to sharpen your crucial problem-solving skills. Make good decisions quickly, without second-guessing yourself. Develop a proactive approach and address small concerns before they become big problems. Alvy and Robbins offer you ideas, strategies, and words of wisdom gleaned from practical experience to help you prepare for anything a school leader might encounter.

You'll learn how to

Let teachers, students, and your school community see you on the campus, not just in your office. Focus on the real center of your school - the classrooms - and visit each class regularly. Make sure you ask the right questions of your staff, your students, and the community. Be observant, and do what you can to learn every day - especially from your mistakes. The authors suggest expanding your expertise by forging relationships with experts you can call on for advice. Join or start a network with other principals. Cultivate a core group you can count on for a second opinion, as a sounding-board, or for emotional support.

The authors bring considerable expertise to this book. Alvy, after serving a school principal for more than a decade, recently began a new position as principal at Singapore American School. Robbins has worked with school principals for twenty-six years, designing and delivering training for principals' academies, among other things. Who benefits from your excellence as a school leader? You, your staff, parents, and the community - but most of all, your students

How to accelerate analysis into action

Using data for school improvement is a key goal of Race to the Top, and now is the time to make data-driven school improvement a priority. However, many educators are drowning in data. Boost your professional learning community's ability to translate data into action with this new book from Pam Robbins and Robert T. Hess. The Data Toolkit provides ten easy-to-use tools that don't require statistical expertise, can be implemented in a timely manner, and facilitate problem-solving at the classroom, school, and district levels. These proven methods help educators:

Written in an educator-friendly format each chapter contains instructions on using the tool, a sample scenario, and examples—practical resources that will help your PLC be the best it can be.Also included are case studies that show how data teams, PLCs, and individual teachers have used the book's methods in their own settings. The culminating school improvement mapping tool guides the team through designing an action plan focused on increasing student learning and achievement outcomes.