ABSTRACT
As a new administrator in a new school district, I spent time during my first month talking with various stakeholders, including the principal, staff, and parents, becoming familiar with the school’s culture. Many of the comments I heard celebrated the school’s excellence. This perception surprised me. As a part of the interview process, I had researched the school’s performance on the high-stakes assessment, and its results were concerning. So when I began speaking with staff and members of the community, I expected to hear anxieties and suggestions, not accolades. I had to find out what these comments were based upon.
