Fresh Perspective: Using the Lens of Continuous Growth to Strengthen the Head of School Assessment Process

Anne-Marie Balzano, Ed.D.
Mission & Data

Jerry Larson, Ed.D
Educational Directions

We are often asked by clients, both heads and trustees, about finding “a good way” to have the board evaluate the head of school or to assess their work as a board. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) offers instruments for both head of school and board assessment. Other non-profit associations, such as BoardSource, also provide evaluation tools for CEOs and boards, yet for many schools, these feel impersonal and impractical. In our most recent article Govern and Support: Two frames to redefine the head of school and board partnership, we offer some suggestions on building a trust-based collaboration between the board and the head. While it is considered good practice to have both the board and the head of school evaluate their performance, we will focus on the head’s review by the board of trustees. By using the lens of continuous growth to strengthen the process and in turn, the head-board partnership, we believe assessment can support strong independent school governance.