Arguing that students' success almost always depends upon their mastery of literacy during the fundamental prekindergarten through Grade 3 years, this text draws upon 20 years of research to prove the link between effective literacy programs and instructional leadership. This book examines the foundation of highly effective literacy programs in the primary grades, focusing on the ways research on effective classrooms and productive schools can be used to promote literacy achievement for all students, especially those at risk for failure. The resource is designed to provide principals and administrators with tools needed: to achieve quality literacy programs through effective leadership, to focus on literacy mastery among young children, to influence political decisions that affect literacy programs, to prevent literacy problems in students before they lead to school failure, and to reach at-risk students and students of all levels and backgrounds. Chapter 1 establishes the framework for an exploration of literacy leadership, featuring a comprehensive design for strengthening literacy at the primary grades involving effective schools, quality instruction, successful reading programs, and school leadership. Chapters 2 through 4 frame the concepts of literacy and leadership, discuss the current state of literacy in the United States, and review foundational principles of high-quality reading programs. Chapters 5 through 12 focus on practices to improve both programs and classroom delivery simultaneously by promoting quality instruction, managing time productively, focusing on phonics, deepening the curriculum, building effective prevention and remediation programs, coordinating the curricular and instructional programs, promoting the learning of staff, and collaborating with the home to strengthen literacy achievement. (Contains 282 references.) (KB)