Within Reach: Leadership Lessons in School Reform from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

This book is about transformational leadership in a large, richly diverse school system. It is a unique story from a number of perspectives. First, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district has had a succession of highly competent leaders. Its most recent superintendent, Dr. Peter Gorman, just completed a successful five-year tenure. Second, the system has been blessed with a strong core of smart and focused continuous learners on the district€s leadership team. There is a culture among district leaders that, €œWe must be better for our kids each and every year.€ And finally, the results achieved by CMS on its key indicators of success have set a new standard for urban districts across the country. This is a story of the leadership lessons learned in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools over the past five years. The planning done by the district was excellent. The execution of those plans was uniquely outstanding. No one in Charlotte will proclaim, €œMission accomplished!€ But there is no question that victory is Within Reach.