Overview:

Between an average principal and a great principal, there’s a full 20 percent difference in student achievement gains. But school leaders are often strained for time. Each action a principal takes has implications for every student, so it's important to focus attention on those actions that will lead to the best outcomes.

5 Steps You Can Take:

1. Create a clear vision, goals and a plan for student success.

Set goals and an action plan that lead to accomplishing the vision for all kids to learn and succeed. Communicate clear expectations and establish systems to motivate, identify and celebrate great teaching.

2. Develop your teachers – and hire and retain the best.

Focus every professional development meeting on improving your teachers’ practices and developing their leadership, so they ‘own’ the vision, and can help make it reality. Avidly recruit talented teachers, and celebrate and retain the best.

3. Be visible and inspire.

Relentlessly communicate and live the vision, all the while considering how your actions and words will be understood by all stakeholders – especially families, the community and district and charter leaders – as you advocate for the needs of the school and its students.

4. Solicit and provide candid input.

Request and act on feedback from stakeholders. Have the courage to initiate difficult conversations that help adults get it right for kids.

5. Seek out effective practices.

Foster your own learning by engaging leaders and schools that have transformational results, and importing their practices into your school.

Jean Desravines is CEO of New Leaders.

All statements and opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual contributors, and not of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation or NBC News.