Research has clearly shown that principals matter. They are second only to the classroom teacher in predicting how successful students will be, and they are pivotal to any positive change in school culture.

One site leader definitely making an impact is Ramon Cusi, principal of North Davis Elementary in Davis Jt. Unified School District. He leads a school of around 600 students, with approximately 25 percent English learners.

Cusi has been a school leader for 14 years, as a high school vice principal for six years and an elementary school principal going into his eighth year. He’s blessed to work at a school with a strong PTA, which has helped his school obtain some of the enviable technology it has, such as microphones in every classroom to assist teachers.

During a recent day in a North Davis computer lab, about 50 kids were working at individual stations. The view from the back of the room is impressive. The teacher can see each student’s computer screen, and there are many different programs in use simultaneously.

Students are using programs that help them in math, reading and design. The teacher proudly shows how the system integrates to provide his teaching station with individualized reports on each student. He then uses the reports to help students in areas where they are having challenges.

In addition to technology, Cusi is also a strong believer in professional learning communities, and the day found Cusi stopping in at a few grade-level meetings. The teachers all enjoy the PLC concept and the respect they have for Cusi was apparent as he offered leadership in the various areas they were discussing.

North Davis Elementary is definitely a high-achieving school. The overall 2010 base API was 927. Even all the student subgroups were in the 800-plus range, except for students with disabilities, which was still a very respectable 734. Cusi acknowledges being in an enviable position, and credits it to the hard work of his staff. Still, he said there’s no resting on their laurels as far as he’s concerned. The challenge now becomes, “How do you move up your B students?”

It won’t get any easier, that’s for certain. Although Cusi said Davis Jt. USD is a wonderful district, it has been hit hard by budget cuts, just like every other district in the state, and class sizes have climbed rapidly. But Cusi is well prepared for the challenges ahead.

“With a K-12 background in education as an administrator, along with my research as a doctoral student, I have been able to apply the best practices to my currently assigned school site,” he said.

Besides the PLC concept and use of technology in the classroom, this also includes community-parent capacity building and successful intervention programs.

Through it all, ACSA’s culture of support has played a vital role for Cusi.

“The information and updates I receive from ACSA have allowed me to properly inform my staff, school site council members and parent community, about the latest updates in education,” he said. “This has allowed our community to not have any surprises of what is coming up during our state’s current fiscal crisis.”

In fact, Cusi said ACSA has played a key role in his career right from the beginning.

“When I first joined ACSA, it was when I was in the Tier 1 Credential program,” he said. “It gave me access to the popular EdCal, which had all the job openings posted. It was also an opportunity to network, which was a major contributor to landing my first administrative position.”

From there, Cusi became more active in his membership.

“I was recommended to be the director of the Yolo Charter of Region 3,” Cusi said. “I then became president-elect, and then president of the charter. I was then asked to become the region vice president for legislative action, a position I currently hold.”

Cusi said his more active ACSA participation has really paid off.

“Attending meetings was much more than being part of an organization,” he said. “I have received a significant amount of professional development and networking through ACSA. Being updated regularly from our Delegate Assemblies has allowed me to share this information with my community members.”

As he grew in his membership participation, Cusi discovered the many advantages ACSA brings to school leaders.

“ACSA has a lot to offer in regard to professional development, networking and other professional support,” Cusi said. “Over time, I have been able to utilize all of these areas for the betterment of students, along with my career in education as an administrator.”

As Cusi has grown his career with an assist from ACSA, he recommends all school leaders become more active in the association.

“ACSA is California’s only statewide school administrator organization that truly champions public education,” he said. “I truly feel they advocate for student learning and achievement.”

Related documents

Research from The Rand Corp. supports the finding that among all school-based factors, the quality of the principal is second only to that of the classroom teacher.

A study from Mid-Continent Research for Education and Learning show that the principal is pivotal to a positive school culture.

A related EdCal article highlights school leaders and shares their struggles coping with increasing budetary challenges at the school site.