Within Reach: Leadership Lessons in School Reform from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

This book is about transformational leadership in a large, richly diverse school system. It is a unique story from a number of perspectives. First, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School district has had a succession of highly competent leaders. Its most recent superintendent, Dr. Peter Gorman, just completed a successful five-year tenure. Second, the system has been blessed with a strong core of smart and focused continuous learners on the district’s leadership team. There is a culture among district leaders that, “We must be better for our kids each and every year.” And finally, the results achieved by CMS on its key indicators of success have set a new standard for urban districts across the country. This is a story of the leadership lessons learned in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools over the past five years. The planning done by the district was excellent. The execution of those plans was uniquely outstanding. No one in Charlotte will proclaim, “Mission accomplished!” But there is no question that victory is Within Reach.