The school principalship is one of the most demanding and misunderstood jobs in American education. As the person in charge of the daily operation of a particular school, the principal is vested with enormous responsibility for the education of students, the supervision of personnel, and the adherence to numerous laws and policies. This professional reference provides practical information for K-12 principals about how to conduct their jobs in the most effective manner. The practical information in the book is informed by a solid discussion of the history of the principalship and the characteristics of effective schools. The bulk of the volume provides valuable information on the legal and business concerns of the principal, the effective management of personnel, the importance of systems theory to effective planning, and the relationship between the school and the community. Throughout the volume, the authors stress that the principal is a leader and a visionary who empowers, rather than merely a manager who oversees tasks.

Supported by the Nebraska Council of School Administrators and the U.S. Department of Education, the authors investigated the successful strategies and attitudes of hundreds of individuals nominated as outstanding administrators by state departments of education, professional associations, university professors, and peers. One thousand outstanding administrators were asked to comment on why they thought they had been nominated, what they had accomplished, and what skills had brought about their successes. Four hundred and ninety-one men and women representing all levels of K-12 administration responded in detail and at length to what has become known as "Project Success." Wendel, Hoke, and Joekel present these insights in order to inspire and inform school administrators and other professionals in leadership positions who wish to tread in the footsteps of those who have succeeded.