The idea that organizations should have sense of their direction is a relatively new concept. The problem is that the concept of vision has always been ambiguous. This book clarifies the issues surrounding vision by providing a base conceptual framework for developing a school vision. Chapter 1 examines the nature and content of vision, explains why it is important, and outlines the leader's role in developing it. Chapter 2 examines the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that lead to personal vision. The third chapter describes a preliminary readiness check and discusses two strategic decisions that shape the direction of the vision process: Who will lead? Who will participate? Chapter 4 examines the experience of schools whose visions did not come from a carefully orchestrated plan and provides some guidelines for a more systematic process. The fifth chapter examines two major components of the vision-institutionalization process: (1) realigning structures to support the vision; and (2) integrating the vision into the school's culture. Strategies for adapting to change (creating a learning organization) are offered in the final chapter. The book includes group exercises, three sample surveys, and an appendix that contains sample mission and vision statements. (Contains 100 references.) (LMI)