By Barbara Blackburn and Ron Williamson
A key facet of instructional leadership is addressing and closing the achievement gap. There are two reasons that principals should lead the charge to close the achievement gap. First, it is the right thing to do. Every single child who enters our buildings deserves the right to learn and have the opportunity to succeed. Second, we are held accountable for closing the gap by the No Child Left Behind Act and by every state achievement initiative.
In Closing the Achievement Gap: A Vision for Changing Beliefs and Practices (2003), Belinda Williams identified four needs of students. We’ve added one more: creating a personalized environment.
Needs of Students
1. Access to challenging curriculum and instruction
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