'Taylor shows how school leadership actions can turn almost any educational challenge into a positive. Her use of current school administrators as examples, the explanatory charts, and the guiding professional analysis make this book a necessary companion to implementing sustained school reform' - Mary Ann Haas, Retired Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Flagler School District, FL There is no single solution to improving learning and closing the gap for disadvantaged children. Rather, improvement is the result of a number of successful practices used together. This valuable resource shows school and district leaders how specific, consistent actions can result in dramatic change and increased student achievement. From stimulating intellectual growth to making decisions based on data, this book provides leader actions and examples of schools where the gap in learning is closing through exceptional leadership, and includes: - Numerous examples from real schools, offering descriptions and analysis of actions that increase achievement - Interviews with successful headteachers that provide a realistic look at the issues involved - A focus on second-order changes, where small improvements can create dramatic rethinking of the organization, the roles of individuals, and the approach to learning - Ample forms, sample notes, templates, and other materials to get you started Based on theory, but grounded in practice, this book shows headteachers the specific actions they need to take to drive high levels of student achievement in their schools.