COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 76

May 2, 2003

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Governors Urban Leadership Institutes

The research literature on effective schools consistently notes that the instructional leadership of the principal is essential to high student performance. To sustain quality leadership over time, distributed leadership is needed using teacher leadership teams. Such teams build the capacity of the school to sustain high student performance even in the face of principal and staff mobility. These challenges are even more critical for urban and high poverty schools.

Governor Warner, recognizing the validity of this research and the unique challenges of urban schools, is sponsoring two urban leadership institutes. The first, to be held

June 22-26, 2003, is designed for the principal and his/her school leadership team. Major topics will include: No Child Left Behind (NCLB) issues, differentiating instruction to reach the subpopulations of NCLB, building a culture of teacher leadership, and helping at-risk students. The second institute, July 21-25, 2003, is primarily for principals in urban schools with topics such as: successful urban interventions, collaborative teaming, character development in at-risk students, and developing leadership capacity.

Please promote this opportunity to improve leadership of principals, particularly principals of PASS schools. Of particular value will be the opportunity for the principals to bring a leadership team of three to five teachers to the June institute. The needs of urban schools are often unique and deserve specialized attention. Registration can be paid from Title I funds, among other sources, as well as federal school improvement funds provided to PASS schools.

Additional information about the institutes is available at http://www.achievabledream.com/urban.html, or you may contact the Urban Learning and Leadership Center at (757) 599-9472.

JLD/JSH/pl