Breakthrough Schools Assembly
Three nationally-recognized principals
shared with colleagues the keys to success under
NCLB legislation during the Assembly "Breakthrough
High Schools Meet No Child Left Behind Standards."
Mike Kakuska, principal, Roswell
High School, NM, challenged principals to embrace
change and understand that NCLB is here to stay.
Noting that NCLB is bipartisan legislation that
had its roots during the Clinton Administration,
Kakuska said,"We can moan all we
want about NCLB, but if that's all you
do, your school will fail. NCLB isn't going
away."
Kakuska, who was appointed by
President Bush to assist in developing NCLB,
also indicated that it's likely there will be
changes in the law and urged principals to focus
on elements where they can implement change.
Charlesetta Deason, principal, Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston, outlined four areas that led to improvements in her school: starting with a clear vision and communicating it, having strong, stable leadership in the school, really setting high expectations for students, and having a highly competent staff.
She reminded principals that they may have to be creative in finding quality staff members, recalling her efforts going to the Baylor Medical Center to ask researchers how they would like to teach teenagers. Today, the science department head is a former researcher.
Mel Riddile, principal, J.E. B Stuart High School, VA, outlined a number of elements that led to his school being identified as one of the first breakthrough schools.
He told principals they must
create a "can-do" climate,
offer students many different quality programs,
and maintain their focus on the important issues.
But the keys at Stuart are focusing on literacy
skills and ninth grade students.
