Full Description
"This book has something for everyone—the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!"
—Mary Devin, Associate Professor
Kansas State University
"Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on."
—Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director
Connecticut Association of Schools
Use these practical tips and real-world examples to facilitate meaningful school change!
This updated edition of the bestseller on school reform focuses on collaboration at three crucial levels: district, school, and classroom. Recognizing the power of multilevel support, reform expert Edie L. Holcomb provides a structure that helps teams of educators assess a situation, gather information, plan and implement change initiatives, evaluate progress, and sustain change.
In easy-to-understand language, Asking the Right Questions, Third Edition, effectively highlights the issues that need to be addressed when implementing school improvement initiatives. Building on her highly successful framework, the author presents a new discussion on shaping practice, creating effective decision-making structures, and reviewing improvement plans. The new edition also includes
Innovative strategies such as symbolic displays, configuration maps, priority grids, and open space technology
Additional examples of change scenarios from the field
Review questions and chapter summaries that highlight key points
A CD-ROM with figures, customizable forms, and a chapter-by-chapter discussion guide to facilitate individual and group study
From simple policy changes to broad reform, this invaluable guide helps teachers, principals, and administrators work together to visualize and enact changes that improve student achievement.
Contents
List of Figures
List of CD-ROM Contents
Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord
Preface to the Third Edition
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Asking the Right Questions
Refinement of the Five Critical Questions
The Five Questions as a Road Map
The Wrong Questions
Professional Learning Communities
The Five Questions and Three Models of Change
Tools for Inquiry and Collaboration
Using This Book
Answer Key
2. Answering the "Where Are We Now?" Question
Student Performance
Shareholder Perceptions
Organizational Culture and Context
Answer Key
3. Answering the "Where Do We Want to Go?" Question
Affirming the Mission
Identifying and Prioritizing Concerns
Articulating Goals
Visualizing the Culture of Collaboration
Answer Key
4. Answering the "How Will We Get There?" Question
Dig Into the Data
Study Relevant Research
Explore Best Practices
Consider Local Factors
Analyze Current Practice
Partner With Your District
Select Strategies
Double-Check: Goal or Strategy?
Plan the Journey
Is Our Plan Powerful?
Answer Key
5. Answering the "How Will We Know We Are (Getting) There?" Question
Are We Working Our Plan? Evidence of Implementation
Is Our Plan Working? Evidence of Impact
The Plan and the Proof
Answer Key
6. Answering the "How Will We Sustain the Focus and Momentum?" Question
Understand and Respond to Reactions
Continue Training and Coaching
Cope With Conflict
Strengthen the Culture of Inquiry
Support Leaders and Followers
Shift From Technical to Adaptive
Reaffirm Organizational Values and Commitments
Maintain Organizational Health
Answer Key
7. Powerful Questions That Shape Practice
Entry Questions
Data-Boosting Questions
Walking-Around Questions
Instructional Questions
Student-Work Analysis Questions
Letting-Go Questions
Hiring Questions
Time Management Questions
Involvement Questions
The Commitment Question
Answer Key
References and Further Reading
Index
