Learn about the New Vision for School Leadership in North Carolina The Principal Story

The North Carolina Now series The Principal Story visits with three North Carolina principals to see how they are creating successful learning communities. These outstanding school administrators demonstrate how the execution of the North Carolina Standards for School Executives can foster high student achievement. This series compliments the PBS broadcast of The Principal Story documentary.

The NC School Executive Standards are based on a Wallace Foundation study that looked at what principals actually do. The standards will serve a variety of purposes. One of those purposes is to guide professional development for school executives. The Department of Public Instruction also has plans to use the seven critical standards to evaluate principals beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.

What Are the Seven Standards for North Carolina School Executives?

An Introduction to the Seven Standards - A summary of each of the seven critical standards for school principals. (Adobe Flash)

How Can Principals Apply the Seven Standards?

In what ways has the principal's role changed? How will North Carolina principals be held accountable in the future? What are some strategies for sharing the best practices of teachers and principals? Watch the interview with Dr. Stephen Greene, District Transformation Coach, NC Department of Public Instruction, by selecting the video link below. Next, answer the five discussion questions.

Dr. Stephen Greene, District Transformation Coach, NC Dept. of Public Instruction

Three Exemplary North Carolina Principals Demonstrate the Standards How well do you understand each of the seven critical standards? How do those standards apply to real life situations? Watch the videos with each of the three principals by selecting the video links below. Next, answer the five discussion questions that follow each video. You can print your answers and discuss them with your colleagues.

Dr. Jay Jones, Principal of Konnoak Elementary School

Dr. Lee Johnson, Principal of Wayne Early/Middle College High School

Principal Leicha San Miguel, Hillcrest Elementary School

How Do Practices Match Standards?

Practices are statements of what one would see an effective principal doing in each standard. Test your understanding by matching the practice with the correct standard.

Standards and Practices (Adobe Flash)

THE PRINCIPAL STORY A PBS Documentary Film on School Leadership - Funded by The Wallace Foundation, the documentary and related video and print materials are designed to connect educators, policymakers and those interested in learning more to reliable, useful resources.

North Carolina Standards for School Executives - A document that presents the seven standards, the philosophy behind them, and their purpose. (pdf)

For more information on the film and related outreach, visit www.wallacefoundation.org/principalstory. For more information and research about education leadership, visit the Wallace Knowledge Center at www.wallacefoundation.org.

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