In our work across North America, we have learned there are a set of critical attributes that hallmark effective, results driven school districts. The leaders in these school districts engage in candid discussions with their community and staff about the challenges they face. They create a sense of urgency in order to improve service and student learning results. The leaders are clear with the community and with all staff that the chief goal of the system is to ensure all students graduate ready for post-secondary education or to begin work. They reject the impulse to make increased testing and accountability their enemy.
Successful leaders actively work to move the organization from a culture of compliance to a culture of service. To fully implement this cultural transformation toward a Results System, effective leaders do the following: