What should a school leader do first when initiating change at a school?

The first step a school leader should take when initiating change at a school is to collect perceptions, demographics, and student performance data to assess needs. This approach is vital as it provides a data-driven understanding of the current situation within the school. By analyzing these different types of data, the leader can identify specific areas that require improvement and gather insights into the perspectives of students, families, and staff.

Understanding the context and needs of the school community allows the leader to make informed decisions rather than jumping straight to implementation or discussion. Without this foundational knowledge, changes made could be misguided or ineffective, lacking the appropriate support from stakeholders.

This step also sets the stage for meaningful engagement with the entire school community, as it demonstrates that decisions will be based on evidence rather than assumptions. By prioritizing data collection and needs assessment, the leader can create a clear rationale for the changes proposed and foster a collaborative environment in which all stakeholders feel involved and valued.