Dear School Leader:

In 2006, NASSP will celebrate its 90th anniversary. At this point in our history, we see middle level and high school principals facing increasing challenges from policymakers, community leaders, and parents. While we celebrate the many accomplishments of the past, the Association is planning for the future, where it will play an even stronger role in supporting and advocating for middle level and high school leaders.

This increasingly important role gives us a special reason during this milestone year to take a moment to offer our heartfelt thanks to our membership. For all of our storied 90-year history, it has been our members who have led the charge to promote excellence in education leadership. Indeed, without our members, any NASSP efforts to champion school leaders and celebrate the role they play in guiding, educating, and enriching their school community would be for naught. You are the reason we exist, and it’s important on this occasion that you know how much NASSP appreciates and cherishes your longstanding support.

Breaking Ranks: Changing an American Institution and Breaking Ranks II: Strategies for Leading High School Reform reinforced the Association’s role as a crucial resource for school leaders in making reform a building-level reality. NASSP’s Legislative Recommendations for High School Reform put us squarely in the middle of the growing national and state debate over high school reform. The release of Creating a Culture of Literacy: A Guide for Middle Level and High School Principals at the beginning of the 2005–06 school year and the early-2006 release of Breaking Ranks in the Middle will continue our ongoing support for school leaders in the areas of adolescent literacy and middle level school improvement.

During its 90th anniversary year in 2006, NASSP will continue to build on its many years of experience to further advance the Association’s support and advocacy for middle level and high school leaders. The success of our advocacy efforts is inextricably linked to the active participation of our members in the process. We encourage you to visit our Web site, www.principals.org, as we move closer to 2006 for more information on NASSP’s 90th anniversary celebration and how you can participate in our ongoing advocacy efforts. We look forward to seeing you in Reno-Tahoe and to celebrating 90 years of excellence in middle and high school leadership.

Sincerely,

Gerald N. Tirozzi
Executive Director