What are the skills necessary for effective middle school leadership? What are the components of quality middle schools? The answers to these questions lie within this book. The author explores the important facets of a middle school principal's leadership role. It is organized around eleven central skill areas, such as: leadership effectiveness, interdisciplinary teaming, designing curriculum content, and meeting the needs of at-risk students. The result of years of research and evaluation, this essential guide is one that new and experienced middle school principals can implement in their schools in order to provide a better education and a safer learning environment for their students.

"Dealing with theory and research before presenting examples of applying principles in practice, Weller (educational leadership, U. of Georgia) attempts to combine the quality management theory of W. Edwards Deming and his own research on middle school practices. Addressing essential skills for principals and components of quality-producing middle schools, he discusses team building and planning, interdisciplinary curriculum, intramural athletics, remedial education, community and home involvement, and scheduling." - Reference and Research Book News

"...catalogues components of 'true' middle schools and how strong school leadership reinforces these components." - Educational Research