After careful review of its students' reading proficiency levels, the Ballston Spa Central School District in New York decided to make a change. It appointed Principal Michael Selkis to oversee the selection of a new reading program and develop other initiatives to boost achievement. Beyond the Book recently spoke with Selkis about his efforts to improve reading proficiency and his ideas for effecting change at both the school and district levels.

As an aspiring superintendent with more than twenty-four years of education experience, Sid Salazar is positioned to advance in the field. Recently, he received a prestigious scholarship honoring his commitment to become a superintendent, which he will use to fund his doctoral studies in education. Beyond the Book recently spoke with Salazar about his professional goals and the steps he's taken to achieve them.

Dr. Carmella Franco's twenty-five-plus years of experience as an educator span from the classroom to various roles in school administration. As superintendent of Whittier City School District, a position she has held for the past ten years, Dr. Franco has worked hard to unify the district by initiating community involvement and cultivating future leaders. Beyond the Book recently spoke with Dr. Franco about her strategies for effective leadership and the steps she's taken to boost student achievement.

In the second installment of his two-part interview, Hector Montenegro discusses his goals for the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents and his vision for the next generation of leaders.

As an educator for more than thirty years, Hector Montenegro has held a variety of positions from middle school math teacher to high school principal to his current position as superintendent of Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso, Texas, and president of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS). Beyond the Book recently spoke with Montenegro about the experiences that helped shape him as a leader and how he uses his leadership skills for positive change.

In the second installment of her two-part interview, Dr. Beverly Hall discusses the programs and initiatives she has implemented in Atlanta Public Schools to improve teaching performance and academic achievement.

Dr. Beverly Hall's career as an educator has taken her through various positions within the field, from the classroom to state district superintendent of New Jersey's Newark Public Schools. She is currently the superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, a position she has held since 1999. During her tenure, Dr. Hall has implemented a variety of initiatives to transform low-performing schools and increase academic achievement. Beyond the Book recently had the honor of speaking with Dr. Hall about her philosophy on leadership, and the important initiatives she's established in her district.

In the second installment of his two-part interview, Dr. Rudy Crew discusses his approach to educational issues and shares his strategy for problem solving.

Dr. Rudy Crew is a lifelong educator whose twenty-five-year career has spanned from the classroom to the chancellorship of New York City Public Schools. In 2004, he became superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the nation's fourth-largest school district. During his tenure, Dr. Crew has implemented a variety of initiatives to eliminate low-performing schools and increase academic achievement for all students in Miami-Dade County. Beyond the Book recently had the honor of speaking with Dr. Crew about his vision for education, his philosophy on leadership, and the important initiatives he's established in his district.

Newly appointed superintendent John Williamson believes in the importance of administrators maintaining an academic connection with students, and is adamant about educators being passionate about teaching. He has taught a class for nearly each of his seventeen years in education, even while serving as assistant superintendent. Beyond the Book had the opportunity to sit down with Williamson to discuss his plans to improve learning and keep his district focused on what is most important—the students.

Mike Lannon joined St. Lucie County School District in the midst of enormous growth, with 10,000 new students entering the district between 2003 and 2006. In 2007, he was named Florida Superintendent of the Year for successfully dealing with this rapid expansion and for raising the community's educational expectations—a major feat in a region that once depended heavily on agriculture, and is now home to a burgeoning high-tech, research-based economy. Beyond the Book recently had the opportunity to learn how Lannon set about redefining educational goals for a growing and changing community.

When Dr. Carrol Thomas became superintendent of schools in 1996, Beaumont Independent School District (BISD) was one of the lowest-performing school districts in the state of Texas. Today, all BISD schools are making adequate yearly progress (AYP), and more than one-third of them are rated as recognized or exemplary by the state of Texas. Beyond the Book recently sat down with Dr. Thomas to learn more about how he turned BISD into one of Texas's highest-performing school districts.

Dr. Yvonne Brandon is a rarity in urban public education: she has spent the past twenty-nine years at Richmond Public Schools, investing her heart and soul in advancing student achievement from every vantage point. She has inspired countless students in the classroom, mentored them as a guidance counselor, and led them as principal. In her current role as associate superintendent for instruction and accountability, she has overhauled curricula, integrated the Balanced Scorecard system, and championed professional development to give students a strong platform for success.

In the second installment of his two-part interview, Dr. Wilfredo T. Laboy shares his Seven Essential Elements for School Transformation and discusses his role as president of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS).

When Dr. Wilfredo T. Laboy became superintendent of schools in 2000, Lawrence Public Schools was in desperate need of a strong leader. Lawrence High School had lost its New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation, 70 percent of students failed to meet state benchmarks, and morale was at an all-time low. Beyond the Book recently had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Laboy about his strong leadership, which helped reform the school system and dramatically boosted student achievement.

Beyond the Book recently had the opportunity to sit down with Matt Silverman, director of curriculum and instruction for Beach Park School District 3 in Illinois. Silverman encountered several obstacles to student success in the five schools he oversees—growing population, changing demographics, and lagging reading scores—and he overcame them all.

Beyond the Book recently sat down with Sandy Anderson, co-principal of Oak Terrace Elementary School in Highwood, Illinois, to learn about the literacy effort that had a profound impact on the reading achievement of her school's English language learners, and to get her perspective on effective leadership during times of change.

Barbara Johnson, director of curriculum and instruction at Lynwood Unified School District, is faced with a range of academic challenges. While these challenges are not unlike those of her colleagues across the country, her approach to raising student expectations is what makes her extraordinary.

In the second installment of this two-part interview, Dr. Percy Mack discusses his role as superintendent and shares his thoughts on leadership and management style.

Beyond the Book recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Mack and discuss his approach to improving achievement, as well as his leadership philosophy. In the first part of the interview, Dr. Mack talks about his focus on improving literacy.

For two decades, Stevenson High School has used the concept of a Common Coherent Curriculum to successfully educate its students. Superintendent Tim Kanold shares the components, fundamental beliefs, and commitments that steer this curriculum and guide Stevenson.

Shirley Ison-Newsome's schools are in the most economically deprived areas of the nation's twelfth largest school district, yet are among the highest performing in that district. She spoke with Beyond the Book about her accomplishments and strategies for turning challenges into opportunities for success.

Beyond the Book had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Monte Moses, who was recently named 2005 National Superintendent of the Year. Dr. Moses leads the Cherry Creek School District in Colorado and speaks about his inspiration and determination to create a positive educational environment in which students can thrive.

For many years, urban public schools were left alone and not held to the same expectations and performance standards as their suburban counterparts. With No Child Left Behind and other recent pushes for accountability, the need for effective leadership is urgent.