To the Editor:
As Education Week reported on last summer and earlier this year, many educators and others are stressing that a key to improving public schools is helping school principals develop the leadership skills often found in successful chief executive officers.
In Florida, there is a current program that partners business executives with principals to help them build those skills. Under this program, called Partnership to Advance School Success, the executives contribute their time, talents, and leadership strategies to support school leaders and help them improve their schools. These business leaders also donate resources to motivate parents and students to participate in activities and build school spirit. The Council for Educational Change, the nonprofit organization where I work, is helping create these partnerships across Florida.
The council engages business executives to help principals develop a plan that focuses on specific one-year initiatives that will positively impact student academic achievement.
These partnerships are crucial to improving education in our public schools because principals can’t do it alone. In Florida, the private sector is trying to make a profound and immediate impact in our schools.
Charles Blumenkamp
Board Chair
Council for Educational Change
Weston, Fla.
