“Creating the conditions for the continuous improvement of teaching and learning is the holy grail for school and district leaders. In my 15 years as a superintendent, I actively and continuously searched for and worked hard to nurture and support 'inquiry-minded, action-oriented' school leaders. These authors have it spot on. This book provides a leadership learning pathway for both emerging school leaders and for experienced school leaders looking for affirmation and explication for their most successful leadership practices. I recommend this book with enthusiasm.”

Robert M. Villanova, Director, Executive Leadership Program, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut

“This book is an essential guide for educational leaders in schools, district offices, and higher education. It skillfully blends scholarship with practice, and theory with real world examples. Through case studies, the authors show the reader how to develop, support, and improve a collaborative, inquiry-action process for improving teaching and learning. If we are going to have schools that successfully educate all students to high standards, then we need principals who translate the lessons of this book into practice.”

Andrew Lachman, Executive Director, Connecticut Center for School Change

"This book presents an excellent school improvement model that empowers teachers to take control of the teaching and learning process as active participants in innovative professional communities. The multifaceted role of the principal as buffer and bridger, as facilitator and focuser, illustrates the versatility and skill needed by today’s great leaders!"

Patricia M. Richardson, Professor of Practice-Educational Leadership, University of Maryland

"A highly readable and easy-to-use book for principals to guide their schools through the cycles of inquiry and action in addressing pressing problems. I highly recommend the book as a companion to a research course or a leadership course in school leadership preparation, and for districts to use as a form of professional development for principals and their leadership teams."

Margaret Terry Orr, Faculty, Bank Street College

"An awesome action blueprint for building true school improvement. The authors masterfully outline the current forces, pressures, and factors that challenge instructional change. At the same time, essential keys are provided to assist school leaders in informing, balancing and inspiring instructional change within school walls. As a current principal, I find myself in the pages experiencing much of the same journey."

Edye Morris-Bryant, Principal, Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School, Raleigh, NC

It fits perfectly with my course on school improvement.

Dr Gregory Hicks, Leadership, Policy, and Adult and Higher Education, North Carolina State University

I was reassigned to teach a budget and finance course and selected texts to reflect that reassignmentthank you

Dr Thomas DiPaola, Graduate School, Johnson & Wales University

well designed text and applicable to course

Ms Rebecca McClure, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, University of Denver Morgridge College of Education