Reform strategies used by system leaders in education to impact student achievement: a case study

UnrestrictedIn the last decade, the role of the school superintendent has changed. Historically the superintendency has primarily been managerial and administrative in scope with such duties as budget oversight, operations and discipline. Today’s high stake accountability and unprecedented social and political environments in which urban school system leaders operate, requires knowledge and ability to address the pressing challenges of low-performing schools and gaps in student achievement.; To improve educational quality and advance student achievement in the United States, urban school system leaders must be prepared to implement appropriate and effective change strategies that impact student achievement. Critical issues facing urban education demands that universities and education programs who prepare superintendents and higher education system leaders to teach effective and sustainable change strategies that are appropriate to actual practice and that allow for district-level reform to occur