You will learn as you spend more time in the field of education, there are some ideas, practices and philosophies that reappear in the forefront again and again. School leadership is an example of that phenomenon. While School Leadership has never been unimportant, its importance has come into play recently with the emphasis on school accountability. The leadership of the school, including principal, assistant principal, curriculum specialists, department chairs and team leaders are all increasingly responsible for ensuring the goals of the school, school district, state and national government are all met. In Florida, there are specific standards that apply to school principals and other school leaders. The Florida Principal Leadership Standards focus on providing instructional, operational and school leadership. Instructional leadership requires school leaders to demonstrate the ability to promote a positive learning culture, to provide an effective instructional program and to apply best practices to student learning, especially in the areas of reading and other foundational skills. What this means is that school leaders share responsibility with you in providing and promoting quality instruction, an effective learning environment and student achievement. Florida school principals participate in a special professional development program, Developing Educational Leaders for Tomorrow's Achievers (DELTA). This comprehensive program provides online resources for school leaders, a professional partners network with one-on-one coaching and mentoring for administrators, support and follow-up to professional development and other resources. Research about School Leadership points to several important conclusions. These include the idea that school leadership ranks right behind effective instruction as a key factor important to a school's success. There is also evidence that maximizing leadership opportunities among the faculty can contribute significantly to raising school achievement. Developing an organization in the school that can meet the challenges of a diverse learning environment is an important aspect of every school leader's mission. School Leadership is also seen as a strong link in building communication and collaboration between the school and the community outside the school. Parents, faith-based organizations, business groups, government officials and others are important stakeholders in the success of community schools. An effective school leader works to create a seamless partnership between all interested parties. How School Leadership Affects You