What can help a principal maintain focus on high-leverage instructional activities?

Setting clear, ongoing priorities throughout the year is crucial for a principal to maintain focus on high-leverage instructional activities. This approach enables the principal to direct both staff and student efforts toward specific, impactful areas that drive student achievement. By establishing clear priorities, the principal can ensure that the entire school community understands what to focus on, fostering a shared vision and accountability. This continual emphasis on high-priority areas helps maintain momentum throughout the academic year and can support the effective monitoring of implementation and progress.

In contrast, delegating all responsibilities to department heads might lead to a lack of cohesive vision or inconsistent focus on high-leverage instructional activities, as different departments may prioritize varying goals. Encouraging independent learning for students is beneficial for fostering student agency and responsibility but does not inherently keep the principal's focus aligned with instructional strategies that have the most substantial positive impact on student learning outcomes. Developing a strong extracurricular calendar can enhance student engagement but is not directly linked to instructional practices or the high-leverage activities that primarily contribute to academic success.