A focus on student learning usually means changes in curriculum, instruction, and assessment - that is, changes in teaching. The history of school reform indicates that innovations in teaching and learning seldom penetrate more than a few schools and seldom endure when they do (Elmore, 2005). Innovations frequently fail because the individuals who make it happen - those closest to the firing line - classroom teachers, may not be committed to the effort or may not have the skills to grapple with the basic challenge being posed (Fullan, Hill, & Crevola 2006; Fullan & St. Germain, 2006). Principals need to insure that teachers have the skills to help all students perform at high levels.