The role of the principal is pivotal to systemic school change. That is the fundamental message in The Moral Imperative of School Leadership, which extends the discussion begun in Fullan′s earlier publication, What's Worth Fighting for in the Principalship? The author examines the moral purpose of school leadership and its critical role in "changing the context" in which the role is embedded. In this bold step forward, Fullan calls for principals to become agents as well as beneficiaries of the processes of school change. Concepts explored in-depth include:

• Why "changing the context" should be the main agenda for the principalship
• Why barriers to the principalship exist
• Why the principal should be seen as the COO (chief operating officer) of a school
• Why the role of the principal should figure more prominently within the system