Instructional leaders closely monitor curriculum and instruction by reviewing student assessments and work to ensure standards are being taught. They support teachers through participation in staff development and prioritizing instructional concerns daily. Principals in effective schools are knowledgeable about curriculum and stay involved in instruction, working to provide resources and promote teacher reflection to improve student achievement.

1. Instructional
Leaders Monitor
Curriculum and
Instruction

2. There are good reasons to focus
on school leadership. The
importance of the principal’s role
has never been greater, taking
into consideration national
accountability standards for
schools and the likelihood that
principal job vacancies will
increase in the near future.

3. Not only do effective
principals focus
attention on curriculum
and teaching, they also
understand teaching
and possess credibility
in the eyes of their staff
(Mazzeo, 2003).

4. Schmoker (2006) suggested that too often school
cultures discourage close scrutiny of instruction.
He says that effective leaders can raise the level of
importance by looking for evidence that
curriculum standards are taught through the
review of formative assessments, grade books,
team lesson logs, and student work.

5. Principals support instructional activities and
programs by modeling expected behavior,
participating in the staff development, and
consistently prioritizing instructional concerns on a
day-to-day basis. They strive to protect
instructional time by removing issues that would
detract teachers from their instructional
responsibilities (Marzano et al., 2005).

6. Moreover, principals in effective
schools are involved in
instruction and work to provide
resources that keep teachers
focused on student
achievement. They are
knowledgeable about
curriculum and instruction and
promote teacher reflection
about instruction and its effect
on student achievement
(Cotton, 2003).