The Principal′s Guide to Raising Reading Achievement

I found the Principal's Guide to Increasing Reading Achievement to be an excellent source of information for any elementary school principal who is concerned about the level of reading achievement in his/her school. The book contains not only an excellent and balanced discussion of some of the major controversies in the area of reading instruction, but also shows how these controversies should not be a stumbling block to providing a balanced, comprehensive instructional program for children. I found both the specific instructional advice and the advice on school management to be very sound, and reflective of what we currently understand about reading from research. I would recommend this book as one resource for any principal who is searching for ideas and guidance about increasing reading achievement in his/her school.Joseph K. Torgesen Professor Psychology Department Florida State University

Ms.McEwan has written perhaps the best book in its field. I do not know of a better book which explains to principals exactly how they can raise the reading achievement of their students. The author never "preaches" nor tells principals what to do. She just puts the information in an easily read format and leaves the decisions to the perceptive abilities of principals. Ms. McEwan's book is full of resources, links, helpful information, current data, definitions, and explicit criterion. If people find themselves in the position of being first-year principals and they must set up a plan to improve their schools' reading scores, there is not a book which will give better guidance. If principals follow McEwan's strategies as given in this book, everyone on the staff will take ownership. The book explains with clarity most of the reading terminology and curriculum which are currently being used in our country. Through the use of quality references, the author leads principals through the "reading maze" so that when the administrators finish the book, they will have a clear sense of purpose. I believe that Ms. McEwan has written a book which will help principals to be true "instructional leaders" in the richest sense of the term.