Full Description
"An extensive and comprehensive resource for aspiring as well as practicing school leaders at every level. For aspiring school leaders, this book provides a multifaceted look at the complexity of school organizations. For practicing school leaders, the design of the content, the broad array of useful information, the action checklists, the quick-read guidelines, and the extensive references provide readers with a useful guide."
—Gerald N. Tirozzi, Executive Director
National Association of Secondary School Principals
An original, proven approach to help you meet challenges head-on!
Research has shown that effective school leadership is a key factor in promoting high student achievement. This very practical, easy-to-use reference draws from leadership lessons learned in both education and business. Written as a field manual for "school CEOs" to facilitate understanding and operating a school as an organization, this book is designed for easy access within a unifying framework to enable flexible use for busy principals.
Based on the Organizational Effectiveness Model, the manual offers a blend of background knowledge and practices that are immediately useful, in the context of five elements that are essential to all organizations:
Mission, including the central importance of useful metrics
Strategies, such as the value of seeing the whole system
Structure, including skill with conflict management
People, highlighting the usefulness of political savvy
Leadership, including the fundamental importance of trust
Filled with practical strategies and tools, The Principal's Field Manual is an invaluable resource for helping both new and experienced administrators better understand and effectively operate the school as a vital and dynamic organization.
Contents
List of Figures
Very Quick Reference
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Introduction
The Framing Model - Facets of Effectiveness
Two Fundamental Techniques
Less Quick Reference
Leadership
Communications
Dialog
Trust
Collaboration/Teamwork
Fire Fighting
Culture
Ten Rules/Guidelines for Leadership
Mission
Mission
Metrics
Organizational Values
Ten Guidelines/Rules for Mission
Strategy
Scenario Planning
Systems Thinking
Decision-Making / Problem-Solving
Ten Guidelines/Rules for Strategy
Organizational Structure
Project Management
Change
Conflict Management/Resolution
Policies, Procedures, and Professional Judgment
Competencies and Position Sketch
Ten Rules/Guidelines for Organizational Structure
People
Personal Values
Data, Information, Inferences
Managing Staff
Followership
Influence and Political Savvy
Ten Rules/Guidelines for People
Conclusion
Glossary
Appendix 1. Principal Responsibilities
Appendix 2. Operating Styles
Appendix 3. Project Charter Sample
Appendix 4. Capacity to Act Assessment
Appendix 5. Position Sketch
Appendix 6. Newmann's Model
Appendix 7. Decision Requirements Table
Appendix 8. Uncritical Inference Test
References
Index
