With a focus on standards, coherence, and outcomes, we can realize ambitious and necessary goals This summer, I was appointed superintendent of schools in Weymouth, Mass. Since starting this new role, I have focused on listening and learning from teachers and administrators, students and parents, and the partners who work with the school community — local businesses, neighborhood associations, parent councils, faith-based institutions, and others. When taking on a new role, leaders benefit when they dedicate time to learn about the strengths and challenges of their new organization. The literature on entry for both public and private sector organizations (Jentz & Wofford, 1982; Watkins, 2003) emphasizes the importance of forming a “learning agenda” to understand an organization’s history and culture before developing goals or strategies.