Full Description
From Good Schools to Great Schools reflects the leadership concepts presented in James C. Collins' influential book, Good to Great, and explores how Collins' research and identified effective leadership characteristics can be applied to the public school arena. Susan P. Gray and William A. Streshly show how we can rethink the way headteachers are trained and illustrate how to incorporate key leadership qualities into administrative preparation curriculum and ongoing professional development for leaders. The book focuses on the specific leadership qualities of school principals that positively affect student achievement and meet school improvement mandates and presents profiles of six successful headteachers that demonstrate how to actualize these qualities in practice.
Contents
List of Figures and TablesForeword by Marge HobbsPrefaceAcknowledgmentsAbout the Authors1. We Know What to Do, so Why Do We Fail?The "Good to Great" Research ProjectLeadership Characteristics of Level 5 ExecutivesLeadership Behaviors of Level 5 ExecutivesTwo Behaviors From the Collins StudyGreat School Executives Build RelationshipsThe School Principals in Our StudyLeadership Qualities ExhibitedReflection2. First, Build RelationshipsA Behavior Different From the Behaviors of the Level 5 ExecutiveMr. Bond and Field Elementary SchoolHighly Successful Principals and Building RelationshipsComparison Principals and Building RelationshipsReflectionSuggestions for Principals3. Exercise Your Professional Will, but Stay HumbleIssues With Identifying Personal Humility in School PrincipalsPersonal Humility: The Evidence DiffersShy and Self-Effacing LeadersUnreserved and Enthusiastic LeadersComparison PrincipalsReflectionSuggestions for Principals4. Credit Others, Accept the BlameAdditional Data for Compelling ModestyEvidence for Sustainability of GreatnessEvidence for Compelling ModestyMr. Unpretentious and Bay View Elementary SchoolHighly Successful Principals and Compelling ModestyComparison Principals and Compelling ModestyReflectionSuggestions for Principals5. Be Ambitious First for the School's SuccessAmbition for the Success of the School Is KeyMs. Aspiration and Mission Elementary SchoolHighly Successful Principals and Ambition for the School's SuccessComparison Principals and Ambition for the School's SuccessReflectionSuggestions for Principals6. Resolve to Do What Needs Doing . . . Then Do It!Application of Unwavering Resolve to SchoolsMs. Persevere and Mountain High Elementary SchoolComparison Principals and ResolveReflectionSuggestions for Principals7. Get the Right People on the BusSchool Leaders' Difficulties in Getting the Right PeopleAn Example of Getting the Right PeopleHighly Successful Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"Comparison Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"ReflectionSuggestions for Principals8. Confront the Brutal FactsSchools Face ChallengesBrutal Facts Tackled by the Principals in Our StudyHighly Successful Principals and Confronting the Brutal FactsComparison Principals and Confronting the Brutal FactsReflectionSuggestions for Principals9. Know What Drives Your Educational Engine and Be Passionate About ItAcademics Take IssueOur Term: Educational EngineMr. Focus and Pines Elementary SchoolHighly Successful Principals and the Hedgehog ConceptComparison Principals and the Hedgehog ConceptReflectionSuggestions for Principals10. Build a Culture of DisciplineThe Concept Is Not NewDifficulties in Achieving a Culture of DisciplineMs. Discipline and Eagle Elementary SchoolHighly Successful Principals and a Culture of DisciplineComparison Principals and a Culture of DisciplineReflectionSuggestions for Principals11. Know Commonalities and Differences Between Public Schools and the Private SectorDisparities Between Public Schools and the Private SectorWhat We Have Learned From the Research on LeadershipReflectionSuggestions for Principals12. Support Research-Based Principal PreparationThe ISLLC StandardsThe Mid-continent Research for Education and LearningIn Search of ExcellenceBeware of Business NormsAdministrator Preparation Program ReformA Final CommentReflectionSuggestions for Architects of Principal Preparation ProgramsResource A: Research MethodologyResource B: Interview Participant SelectionResource C: Principal Interview Questions Derived From Collins' (2001) CEO Interview Questions and Demographic QuestionnaireReferencesSuggested ReadingsIndex
