For veteran principals, new principals, and aspiring principals, this book is a critical resource for building instructional momentum during the beginning of the school year. Educational leadership expert Shawn Joseph guides administrators through five key areas: Vision, Instructional Leadership, Politics, Data, and Planning. With detailed timelines, practical advice, and ready-to-use resources, Joseph explains the essential steps to leadership success that will continue throughout the school year. New to this edition: Updated advice to align with the revised ISLLC standards and general updates to reflect the current educational terrain Additional sample letters, lists and timelines to aid the busy principal eResources with supplemental material