Alabama has great school leadership in its superintendents and school principals. School leadership is the process of enlisting and guiding the talents and energies of teachers, pupils, and parents toward achieving common educational aims.

A glance at history indicates the term school leadership came into general use in the late 20th century for several reasons. Demands were made on schools for higher levels of pupil achievement, and schools were expected to improve and reform. These expectations were accompanied by calls for accountability at the school level.

The term school leadership or educational leadership is used interchangeably. Each individual who occupies the position of school leader or education leader exemplifies the personal characteristics of the profession, and holds the profession to its highest standards.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) lists the standards for school leaders as:

Standard 1: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by all the school community.

Standard 2: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.

Standard 3: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient and effective learning environment.

Standard 4: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.

Standard 5: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner.

Standard 6: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.

School boards in the state of Alabama are commended for their efforts to select outstanding educational leaders to guide schools and school systems.

The educational and economic future is bright for people who dwell in the “Heart of Dixie.”