The solution for preparing excellent school leaders is right in front of you. The best way to prepare aspiring leaders for principalship is to offer hands-on opportunities to develop the skills they'll need when they're in charge. Being a principal calls for originality, innovation, and the ability to work under pressure. Yet so few assistant principals and other aspiring leaders actually get to develop these competencies in meaningful ways that prepare them to lead a school with confidence. A research-based plan for creating better conditions for aspiring leaders Guidance for achieving systemic professional growth throughout the school year Analysis of school-leadership standards from six countries Processes, action steps, and examples Voices of leaders, aspiring leaders, and experts from the field