Full Description
"Taylor shows how school leadership actions can turn almost any educational challenge into a positive. Her use of current school administrators as examples, the explanatory charts, and the guiding professional analysis make this book a necessary companion to implementing sustained school reform."
—Mary Ann Haas, Retired Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Flagler School District, FL
Practical strategies and real-world examples for improving learning for all students!
There is no single solution to improving learning and closing the gap for disadvantaged children. Rather, improvement is the result of a number of successful practices used together. This valuable resource shows school and district leaders how specific, consistent actions can result in dramatic change and increased student achievement.
From stimulating intellectual growth to making decisions based on data, this book provides leader actions and examples of schools where the gap in learning is closing through exceptional leadership, and includes:
Numerous examples from real schools, offering descriptions and analysis of actions that increase achievement
Interviews with successful school leaders that provide a realistic look at the issues involved
A focus on second-order changes, where small improvements can create dramatic rethinking of the organization, the roles of individuals, and the approach to learning
Ample forms, sample notes, templates, and other materials to get you started
Based on theory, but grounded in practice, this book shows leaders the specific actions they need to take to drive high levels of student achievement in their schools!
Contents
List of Tables
List of Resources
Preface
Who Will Benefit From This Book?
How Is the Book Organized?
What Are the Special Features?
Reflection
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Introduction and Background
How Did the Research Begin?
Why Interview Research?
Who Participated in the Interviews?
What Actions Do These Leaders Take?
Reflection
Helpful Terms
2. Focus the Culture on Learning: Make Decisions for Student Learning
Leader in Action: Paula St. Francis, Rimfire Elementary School
Leader in Action: Les Potter, Silver Sands Middle School
Leader in Action: Carol Moore, Osceola High School
Leader in Action: Cynthia Dodge, Lake Silver Elementary and Special School
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends in Focusing Culture on Learning and Making Decisions for Learning
Helpful Terms
3. Stimulate Intellectual Growth
Leader in Action: Linda Roman, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Leader in Action: Dale Moxley, Round Lake Charter Elementary School
Leader in Action: Harold Border, Hunter's Creek Middle School
Leader in Action: Jane Phelps, Middle School Social Studies
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends in Stimulating Intellectual Growth
Helpful Terms
Resources for Leaders
4. Invest Personally in the Change
Leader in Action: Paul Sansom, Adairville K-8 School
Leader in Action: Donald Fennoy, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology
Leader in Action: Bill Vogel, Seminole County Schools
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends in Making a Personal Investment
Helpful Terms
5. Collaborate to Optimize Success
Leaders in Action:Principals, Citrus County Middle School
Leader in Action: Todd Trimble, Legacy Middle School
Leader in Action: Mike Armbruster, Ocoee High School
Leaders in Action: UCF-Progress Energy Leadership Institute
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends in Collaboration
Helpful Terms
6. Strategize for Consistency
Leader in Action: Nancy Simon, Central Ridge Elementary School
Leader in Action: Jaime Quinones, Shafter High School
Leader in Action: Tom Curry, Citrus County Schools
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends of Leaders Who Strategize for Consistency
Helpful Terms
7. Let the Data Speak: Then Take Action
Leader in Action: Barrett Nelson, Lewisburg K-8 School
Leader in Action: Connie Collins, Crooms Academy of Information Technology
Leader in Action: Van Mitchell, Colonial High School
Leader in Action: Anna Marie Cote, Seminole County Schools
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends in Data-Based Decision Making
Helpful Terms
8. Engage Families in Learning
Leader in Action: Gonzalo La Cava, Oakshire Elementary School
Leader in Action: Nancy Velez, Leesburg High School
Leader in Action: Grant Rivera, South Cobb High School
Leader in Action: Peter Gorman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends to Engage Families in Learning
Helpful Terms
9. Influence Through the Political Environment
Principals and the District Political Environment
District Leaders
Leader in Action: Carol Kelley, New Smyrna Beach High School
Leader in Action: Beverly Perrault, Wicklow Elementary School
Leader in Action: Pam Tapley, St. Cloud High School
Leader in Action: Barbara Jenkins, Orange County Public Schools
Reflection
Practical Tips
Trends in Leveraging the Political Environment
Helpful Terms
10. Reflections on Leading Learning for Second Order Change
Curriculum
Instruction
Assessment
Concluding Thoughts
Resource A: Principal Interview Protocol
Resource B: District Leader Interview Protocol
Resource C: Guidelines for Collaborative Sessions, Rimfire Elementary School
Resource D: Team Meeting Notes, Hunter's Creek Middle School
Resource E: Leadership Team, Crystal River High School 2007-2008
Resource F: Walkthrough Comment Card, Citrus County Schools
Resource G: Ridgeback Reflections, Central Ridge Elementary School
Resource H: Excerpts From Attendance Policy, Leesburg High School
References
Index
