The objective of the presentation is to discuss structures and findings from the Principals in Action project. The project was funded by the European Commission under the Lifelong Learning Programme. The aim was to improve student learning outcomes, and to reduce the gap in performances, thereby raising the equity. Based on a hypothesis that sustainable changes in the practice of student learning are dependent on changes in other practices (e.g. the practice of leading), the project focused on developing leadership skills. The dialogue conference model was used to consolidate a transnational network level of school development engaging 30 school leaders from Sweden and Norway. Several methods and models aided the mutual capacity building. The findings highlight the connection between school leaders’ abilities to create conditions for sustainable school development in several practices, and students' performances.
