In recent years, school improvement initiatives have been the focus of political agendas, professional conferences, and publication topics. While a plethora of school improvement resources and techniques exist, most explanations regarding how to employ school improvement strategies in differing contexts is extremely vague at best, and non-existent at worst. Here, author Edward Harris explains and illustrates strategic, practical approaches for adapting and applying research-based school improvement strategies to educational contexts. While consideration is given to the principal's roles and practices in a school, the notion of school leadership is viewed in broader terms and includes teacher roles as well. The interrelationship of organizational culture and school leadership is also a key component of this book. One of the goals is to bridge the gap between the "theory" and "practice" of school leadership. The book includes: (1) An explanation of Mary Douglas's Typology of Grid and Group; (2) Substantive analytical tools and procedures to examine one's social context and assess school culture; and (3) Practical examples and suggestions for contextualizing and adapting school improvement strategies. This book continues with features that are in-depth, practical applications and explanations of the following six school improvement strategies: (1) Raising the bar; (2) Increasing student engagement and motivation; (3) Providing focused, sustained professional development; (4) Organizational and management practices; (5) Building linkages; and (6) Monitoring and accelerating improvement. The book is designed for teachers, administrators, and anyone involved in teacher leadership preparation programs. The contents are offered in eight chapters: (1) The Continuing Importance of Instructional Leadership; (2) Understanding the Culture of Schools; (3) Understanding Your School Culture; (4) Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Individualist Contexts; (5) Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Bureaucratic Contexts; (6) Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Corporate Contexts; (7) Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Collectivist Contexts; and (8) Contextualization, Conflict, and Adaptive Leadership. The book also contains, Acknowledgments; Preface; References; Index and About the Author. Appended are: (1) Social Game Assessment Tool; (2) Grid and Group Assessment Tool; and (3) Grid and Group Graph Template. [This book was produced by Rowman & Littlefield Education.]