As the 2015-16 school year begins, NASSP looks forward to celebrating the association’s 100th anniversary in 2016. We could spend the year looking back on the history and milestones of this great organization that has been a part of the professional lives of generations of principals. Yet, more than celebrating the past, our 100th anniversary occasions us to rededicate ourselves to NASSP’s vision for the present day-to renew our commitment to great leaders in every school committed to the success of each student.

The magazine you are holding is our first installment of that renewed commitment. With a new size and a new look, Principal Leadership will continue to deliver the credible and relevant content you have come to expect in a more approachable format. In addition to title changes for a few popular columns, we have added some columns that speak directly to your work:

Advocacy Agenda. This new column will draw the line between developments in Washington, D.C., and the actual impact on your school. With a clearer notion of how federal legislation plays out locally, we know many more principals will want to become involved in federal advocacy.

Role Call. The pendulum has been swinging for decades. Are principals managers or instructional leaders? As with most false dichotomies, the answer is “both.” Recognizing that no advancement can stand long without a solid infrastructure, this column focuses on the role principals play in daily decisions including hiring, budget challenges, policymaking, building management, community partnerships, and engaging with stakeholders.

Pop Quiz. Flip to the last page for a Q&A with a compelling figure relevant to our readership. It could be a member, an NASSP director, a thought leader, a conference speaker-or it just might be you in an upcoming issue.

I would also like to introduce PL readers to our new publishing partner, The YGS Group, and new senior editor, Michael Levin-Epstein. As always, if you have feedback or ideas for content, please don’t hesitate to share them with the editor at [email protected].

Enjoy this issue, and thank you for being a part of our 100th anniversary celebration!

JoAnn Bartoletti
Executive Director, NASSP