A School District's Journey to Excellence : Lessons from Business and Education

"A remarkable tool for educators and communities. We are fortunate that a very effective former superintendent and successful business person are willing to share their quest for ensuring that all students are well prepared for their futures." --June St. Clair Atkinson, State Superintendent North Carolina Department of Public Instruction "Blends business principles with excellent leadership in one of America′s largest school districts to create a model for achieving excellence in school districts everywhere. This is a well-written, practical illustration of how a leader makes things happen." --Larry Price, Superintendent Wilson County Schools, NC Learn how school districts can go from average to outstanding! The challenge of preparing children and youth for success in the 21st century requires improvement in the business of education. This unique resource provides an inside account of how Wake County Public Schools, one of the nation′s largest school districts, made significant gains in student achievement and school performance over a ten-year period to become a shining example of success. Award-winning superintendent Bill McNeal and successful businessman/school board member Tom Oxholm show readers how they established a partnership to help students meet grade-level expectations and support schools in closing achievement gaps. Through the authors′ experience and tips, readers will discover how to facilitate: Improved educational outcomes, especially among minority populations Progressive instructional leadership Fiscal responsibility and efficient allocation of resources Stronger school-community relationships Rich in examples, case studies, and data, A School District′s Journey to Excellence is a much-needed map to excellence in public education.