A recent discussion with a friend shed light on the importance of a good school principal. Deciding where to live, she and her husband went to visit a potential school for their child. Her husband was interested in the curriculum. She, on the other hand, paid close attention to the principal’s relationship to the students.

Was there a healthy balance of warmth and respect? Did students feel that the principal was there to help or just discipline? Were students clear about how they should behave and what they should be doing at any given time? The mother rightfully felt that the best curriculum without the structure and warmth in place would not lead to student achievement.

A recent analysis by the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decision making through research and analysis, found that nearly 60% of a school’s positive impact on student achievement is attributable to principal and teacher effectiveness. This, of course, makes sense.

What was clear is that, although one great teacher can have a lasting effect on a student, for large scale achievement, a totality of quality school experiences over many years is required. This highlights the crucial role that a principal plays and the value of having a great principal in a school.

By building an atmosphere with consistent rules and expectations, worthwhile learning experiences and aspirations for high academic achievement, the principal creates the greatest chance for student success.

Principals, here are some points to note.  15 steps to take to be a great principal:

1. Principals must ensure that the school curricula and instruction are aligned to standards for college and career readiness.

2. Teachers must be well trained in the curricula and classroom organization.

3. Students must be given consistent rules which carry through to every classroom.

4. Teachers are provided with student data to improve their lesson planning and receive professional development to continue improvements.

5. Principals visit every classroom at least once a week to observe lessons and provide support and feedback.

6. Principals provide students with clear goals for success which set a high standard for the students.

7. Students as well as adults are expected to demonstrate personal responsibility for their behaviors and the outcomes of their work.

8. The school reflects a tone that studies are important, staff is there to help and students must take responsibility for your own success.

9. Highly effective principals have long term goals for their school in place. Through constant evaluation, they can mark that the steps they have in place are being met. They assure that their school stays on track towards improvement.

10. Principals need to communicate well with their teachers and together develop a high quality curriculum.

11. Principals help student development through promoting rich opportunities for learning both within and out of the classroom.

12. Principals recognize that the greatest student progress comes when parents and school are in a partnership.

13. Principals need to assure that students stay in school by knowing student situations, creating practical ways to problem solve and showing students that they are cared about.

14. The principal should develop programs such as bullying prevention, character education, drug awareness, and random acts of kindness.

15. The principal needs to instill school pride in their students.

Being a quality principal is a tall order. Those who succeed at this daunting position will be remembered for generations as the person who made the future better for so many. Is that you? What are your thoughts?