Full Description
The book is a unique and necessary contribution to the literature on school administration. Research, theory, and practice were melded to produce a book that can be used as a primary or supplemental text or as professional growth resource for practitioners. Communication scholars, especially since 1990, have concluded that competence must be defined and studied in the context of professions. As such, a growing number of medical schools, law schools, and business schools have integrated communication into their curricula. This book provides a resource for such integration into the study and practice of district and school administration.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1: Communication Basics
IntroductionCommunication CharacteristicsFormFlowStatusActionSymmetryTheoretical PerspectivesClassical theoriesHuman relations theoriesSystems theoriesSynthesisReflective questions
Chapter 2: Communicating Competently
IntroductionCommunicative behaviorInstitutional dimensionPersonal dimensionAvoiding common problemsInsufficient forethoughtOrganizational constraintsPersonal constraintsInadequate evaluationComplementary and Relational CommunicationCommunicative competenceSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 3: Leadership and Relationships
IntroductionUnderstanding LeadershipLeadership, management, and administrationFormal versus informal leadershipImportance of RelationshipsCommunicative behavior and relationshipsRelationships matterSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 4: Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Critical Thinking
IntroductionProblem SolvingProblem framingStagesDecision MakingTypes of decisionsGroup decision makingCritical ThinkingLanguage and communicationReflectionSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 5: Organizational Communication
IntroductionSchools as Loosely Coupled OrganizationsSchools and couplingAdvantages and disadvantages of loose couplingContemporary perspectiveCommunication NetworksFormal versus informal networksBridges or buffersBeneficial propertiesConstructing and applying evidenceEvaluating networksSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 6: School Governance and Democratic Administration
IntroductionCitizen Involvement in School GovernanceDemocratic localismRepresentative democracyCurrent conditionsDemocratic AdministrationHistorical contextThe second coming Democratic administration and communicationSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 7: Climate, Culture, and the Learning Organization
IntroductionSchool Climate Elements Closed and open climatesSchool CultureElementsEffectsCulture and communicationWhy culture change is difficultSchool as a Learning OrganizationOrganizational learningA learning cultureSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 8: Initiating and Sustaining Planned Change
IntroductionContemporary School Reform1983-1989Post 1989Change ProcessesEmpirical-rationalPower-coerciveNormative-reeducativeProcess Issues: Involvement and CommunicationInclusivenessCommunicating appropriatelySynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 9: School Partnerships
IntroductionUnderstanding PartnershipsDefinitionLevels of AutonomyOperational CharacteristicsMotivesCommunity stakeholdersEducatorsCollaborating organizations/groupsWhy Partnerships Succeed or FailEffective PracticesPotential PitfallsSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 10: Managing Conflict
IntroductionOrganizational ConflictDefining conflictConflict in schoolsSources, Types, and ContaminantsSources and typesContaminantsManagement System and StrategiesSystemStrategiesConflict Management and CommunicationSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 11: Conducting a Referendum Campaign
IntroductionKey Administrative ResponsibilitiesVerifying the needMarketing Conducting the CampaignOrganizationProcessPotential pitfallsEvaluating outcomesImportance of CommunicationSynthesisReflective Questions
Chapter 12: Relationships with Media Personnel
IntroductionWorking with JournalistsPreparationMaking relationships positiveInitiating Media CoveragePress releasesPress conferencesElectronic Media InterviewsVideoAudioCrisis CommunicationBefore the crisisDuring the crisisAfter the crisisSynthesisReflective Questions
