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Not just a manager anymore

Principal’s role as literacy leader moves to the front

By Jack McGovern
August 2007
As you walk into Washington Elementary School, you are likely to see a tall middle-aged man dressed in a Cat in the Hat suit. If you are lucky enough to be a student here, you’ll know that’s just the principal. “He really cares about our reading,” said one student. Within three years, this principal took his school from a place where only 15% of the children scored at the proficient level to a learning community in which 80% exceeded state standards. He moved from managing his school to becoming a literacy leader. How does the principal keep the focus on student learning and skillfully identify best literacy practice? How does what is learned about best literacy practice translate into better schools that demonstrate improved student achievement? In the reality of school life, management tasks require the principal’s time and attention (Portin, 2004; Smith & Andrews, 1989). However, management tasks must be secondary to instructional tasks. Schools

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References

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McAndrew, D.A. (2005). Literacy leadership: Six strategies for peoplework. Newark, DE: IRA.

National Association of Elementary School Principals.(2001a). Leading learning communities: Standards for what principals should know and be able to do. Alexandria, VA: Author.

National Association of Elementary School Principals. (2001b). What principals need to know about teaching reading. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Portin, B. (2004, April). The roles that principals play. Educational Leadership, 61(7), 14-19.

Smith, W.F. & Andrews, R.L. (1989). Instructional leadership: How principals make a difference. Alexandria, VA: ASCD.

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