Dr. Ronald Williamson is Professor of Leadership at Eastern Michigan University. He is a former principal, central office administrator, and Executive Director of the National Middle School Association (now AMLE).Dr. Barbara R. Blackburn is the bestselling author of sixteen books and is a sought-after consultant. She was an award-winning professor at Winthrop University and has taught students of all ages.

• CONTENTSAcknowledgmentsMeet the AuthorsIntroduction Leadership for Increased Rigor Rigor, Research, and the Change Process Culture Ownership and Shared Vision Managing Data Professional Development Advocacy Shared Accountability Structures that Support Rigor Moving Forward for Growth Professional Development for Your TeachersReferences

"Ronald Williamson and Barbara Blackburn have created an excellent resource that guides and supports educational leaders in their journey to engage students through rigor and relevance in the classroom. With over 100 tools consisting of reflective activities, rubrics, guides, stories, check lists, data analysis, and surveys, this book is ‘packed’ with practical strategies that can be implemented quickly. The comprehensive nature of this book makes it a "go to" resource for today’s effective leaders." —Ann W. Linson, Superintendent, East Noble School Corporation, IN"‘Rigor’ has become an overused buzzword in recent years. Thankfully, rigor experts, Barbara Blackburn and Ronald Williamson have delivered this invaluable field guide featuring over 100 tools to help us implement their definition of rigor, something that should be the goal of all schools. This is a must-read for every school principal and school/district leadership team member who wants to prepare students for the 21st century and beyond."—Laura Von Staden, Special Education Lead Teacher, FL

Dr. Ronald Williamson is Professor of Leadership at Eastern Michigan University. He is a former principal, central office administrator, and Executive Director of the National Middle School Association (now AMLE).Dr. Barbara R. Blackburn is the bestselling author of sixteen books and is a sought-after consultant. She was an award-winning professor at Winthrop University and has taught students of all ages.

• CONTENTSAcknowledgmentsMeet the AuthorsIntroduction Leadership for Increased Rigor Rigor, Research, and the Change Process Culture Ownership and Shared Vision Managing Data Professional Development Advocacy Shared Accountability Structures that Support Rigor Moving Forward for Growth Professional Development for Your TeachersReferences

"Ronald Williamson and Barbara Blackburn have created an excellent resource that guides and supports educational leaders in their journey to engage students through rigor and relevance in the classroom. With over 100 tools consisting of reflective activities, rubrics, guides, stories, check lists, data analysis, and surveys, this book is ‘packed’ with practical strategies that can be implemented quickly. The comprehensive nature of this book makes it a "go to" resource for today’s effective leaders." —Ann W. Linson, Superintendent, East Noble School Corporation, IN"‘Rigor’ has become an overused buzzword in recent years. Thankfully, rigor experts, Barbara Blackburn and Ronald Williamson have delivered this invaluable field guide featuring over 100 tools to help us implement their definition of rigor, something that should be the goal of all schools. This is a must-read for every school principal and school/district leadership team member who wants to prepare students for the 21st century and beyond."—Laura Von Staden, Special Education Lead Teacher, FL

Dr. Ronald Williamson is Professor of Leadership at Eastern Michigan University. He is a former principal, central office administrator, and Executive Director of the National Middle School Association (now AMLE).Dr. Barbara R. Blackburn is the bestselling author of sixteen books and is a sought-after consultant. She was an award-winning professor at Winthrop University and has taught students of all ages.

• CONTENTSAcknowledgmentsMeet the AuthorsIntroduction Leadership for Increased Rigor Rigor, Research, and the Change Process Culture Ownership and Shared Vision Managing Data Professional Development Advocacy Shared Accountability Structures that Support Rigor Moving Forward for Growth Professional Development for Your TeachersReferences

"Ronald Williamson and Barbara Blackburn have created an excellent resource that guides and supports educational leaders in their journey to engage students through rigor and relevance in the classroom. With over 100 tools consisting of reflective activities, rubrics, guides, stories, check lists, data analysis, and surveys, this book is ‘packed’ with practical strategies that can be implemented quickly. The comprehensive nature of this book makes it a "go to" resource for today’s effective leaders." —Ann W. Linson, Superintendent, East Noble School Corporation, IN"‘Rigor’ has become an overused buzzword in recent years. Thankfully, rigor experts, Barbara Blackburn and Ronald Williamson have delivered this invaluable field guide featuring over 100 tools to help us implement their definition of rigor, something that should be the goal of all schools. This is a must-read for every school principal and school/district leadership team member who wants to prepare students for the 21st century and beyond."—Laura Von Staden, Special Education Lead Teacher, FL