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Mary Kay Kollars is an elementary school principal who has worked closely with Dr. Rich McGrath over the past decade and offered these comments: “Analytical, thoughtful and compassionate…these are three words that immediately come to my mind when I think of Dr. Rich McGrath. As an elementary principal I have had the privilege of working with him over the past 10 years. Whenever I have needed advice or guidance regarding strategies, program initiatives that would improve student achievement I would consult with him. He is a great listener who it cares about kids and is passionate about improving student learning and achievement levels. His expertise and background knowledge in the area of reading is extensive. When our building leadership team analyzed student achievement data and had questions regarding the implementation of math or reading initiatives we definitely relied upon his wise advice and knew that we could count on his support.”

There are key concerns as the federal agency weighs the applications for a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law. Essential aspects of the school improvement model are thoroughly examined in Kaizen Education Leadership, developed by Dr. Rich McGrath. The U.S. Department of Education has put several states on notice, insisting that states must demonstrate the ability to turn around low-performing schools and link teacher evaluations to personnel decisions. State legislatures are wrangling over education reform legislation that will establish a plan to turn around low-performing schools and address teacher evaluations, tenure, and dismissal. Coaching principal leadership in best practices, and effective change methodologies is needed regardless of the specific metrics devised by individual state legislatures. Principals must lead the change.

Dr. Rich McGrath (www.drrichmcgrath.com) is an expert in all phases of education, particularly versed in school-wide reform of inner city schools; with experience leading a school of students with over 90% poverty and over 60% English Language Learners. As many states have received (or are seeking) waivers from the Federal No Child Left Behind program, a need to coach principals in best practices, and effective change methodologies is stronger than ever.

Education is beginning to recognize that school performance and accountability is tantamount to the Director of Quality role in every manufacturing plant. Some of this shift is taking place because No Child Left Behind, while valiant in concept ten years ago, is not equally suitable to all learning, all children, or all schools. Nearly two thirds of all states have requested or received waivers from the Department of Education to measure performance and achievement using metrics most suitable to the desired performance outcomes.

Jason Nobel reported in the Des Moines Register that Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad suggested Senate Democrats and other lawmakers who obstruct passage of “bold” reforms to K-12 education could face political consequences in this year’s elections. Branstad has championed a wide-ranging education reform package since the legislative session began in January, and has been supported for the most part by the Republican-controlled House. Nobel noted that the Democratic Senate, however, has taken issue with many elements of the reform, including expansions to charter and online schools and an early-grade literacy effort that would force schools to hold back third graders who cannot demonstrate reading proficiency.

State legislatures are wrangling over education reform legislation that will establish a plan to turn around low-performing schools and address teacher evaluations, tenure, and dismissal. Coaching principal leadership in best practices, and effective change methodologies is needed regardless of the specific metrics devised by individual state legislatures. Principals must lead the change.

As many states have received (or are seeking) waivers from the Federal No Child Left Behind program, a need to coach principals in best practices, and effective change methodologies is stronger than ever.

Dr. McGrath has high expectations for all students and all staff. Since a characteristic of a highly effective school is high expectations, he refuses to alter his adherence to consistently high expectations, regardless of either students’ or teachers’ knowledge or background.

Jason Nobel reported in the Des Moines Register that Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad suggested Senate Democrats and other lawmakers who obstruct passage of “bold” reforms to K-12 education could face political consequences in this year’s elections. Branstad has championed a wide-ranging education reform package since the legislative session began in January, and has been supported for the most part by the Republican-controlled House. Nobel noted that the Democratic Senate, however, has taken issue with many elements of the reform, including expansions to charter and online schools and an early-grade literacy effort that would force schools to hold back third graders who cannot demonstrate reading proficiency.

Essential aspects of the school improvement model are thoroughly examined in Kaizen Education Leadership, developed by Dr. Rich McGrath. The U.S. Department of Education has put several states on notice, insisting that states must demonstrate the ability to turn around low-performing schools and link teacher evaluations to personnel decisions. These are key concerns as the federal agency weighs the applications for a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law.