This introduction highlights the collaboration between Bank Street College and the New York City Board of Education who developed an approach to preparing principals that has proved highly effective. Wasley and Rizzo briefly describe the program's history and its evolution, and concludes by analyzing why it has worked so well and what they would do to further strengthen the approach.
Author Biography
Patricia A. Wasley is currently Dean of the College of Education, University of Washington. Her current research projects include a study of Chicago's small schools initiative and a national action project to provide better support for new teachers. Dr. Wasley started her career as a public school teacher and administrator. She was the Senior Researcher for School Change at the Coalition of Essential Schools and at the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University from 1989 to 1996. She is the author of numerous articles and several books on school reform. Dr. Wasley serves on a number of advisory boards and committees concerned with the improvement of public education, including The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Before moving to Seattle, she was Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Bank Street College.
Judith Rizzo has been Deputy Chancellor for Instruction for the New York City Board of Education since 1995. She began her career in the Boston Public Schools 30 years ago as a teacher and has held a number of administrative positions. Dr. Rizzo's reform efforts in the New York City schools and her work with superintendents and principals have redefined leadership at the district and school levels. That, combined with her own experience as a principal, is reflected in her continued commitment to develop and support school leaders.