Leadership can't be left to chance.

Dear Colleague:

As we take a look at what it takes to develop, select, nurture and retain quality school leaders, contributors to this issue of Leadership magazine have made it clear that these things matter for leaders: trusting relationships with others, plans for ensuring continuity, and a commitment and willingness to take action on behalf of all of our students.

Preparing the next generation of school leaders can't be left to chance. By now you are undoubtedly familiar with ACSA's Leadership Matters project, which aims to recognize school leaders for work well done, let our communities know about the valuable role administrators play and expand leadership development opportunities. Leadership Matters task force chair Bob Lee offers an update on the progress of our efforts on page 11.

While we prepare future school leaders, ACSA is also supporting administrators working in our schools right now at some of the most complex and demanding jobs on earth. To that end, several articles in this issue offer survival strategies for new and veteran administrators.

Using "practical wisdom honed against empirically supported principles," Stephen H. Davis shares several principles that school leaders need to know in order to survive. In his article on page 8, Davis concludes that "true leadership is hard-earned and tempered through the tribulations and celebrations of organizational life. It is also a moral calling that lifts us beyond ourselves in pursuit of service to others. Trust and integrity are the pillars upon which leaders construct relationships."

Suzette Lovely writes about Capistrano Unified School District's administrative development plan on page 17, reminding us that leadership induction must be a priority, and that "doing nothing is no longer an option." Succession planning guarantees that a "viable pool of candidates is waiting in the wings," ensuring a continuity of leadership, Lovely writes.

Many other districts--including my own, Fresno Unified--have shared the details of their successful induction and mentoring programs with our colleagues at ACSA events and through ACSA publications. As part of our Leadership Matters effort, we will continue sharing those stories, and invite you to contact Julie White ([e-mail]) with information about your district's programs. After all, education is what we're all about!

Sincerely,

Sandra Carsten

ACSA President