Full Description
The pressure is on. Throughout the country, educators and administrators are working hard to make sure students pass standardized tests and graduate. At the same time, teachers are overwhelmed by ever-increasing demands. Efforts at reforming schools often replicate the same approaches and net the same discouraging results. Staff at many schools feel defensive and powerless as a result of being unable to meet standards they didn't set and don't know how to achieve.
This book describes a humanistic approach to implementing programs and systems that bring academic press, social support, and relational trust together in unique ways. Based on the understanding that old beliefs are changed by supporting new behaviors, the approach includes acquiring and using data in innovative and intentional ways. Properly conducted, the approach results in high morale, a sense of inclusiveness and success, increased efficacy, and improved metrics in all areas of education. The book includes the research and theory behind the approach, action steps for leaders, and lessons learned in the process—useful elements of success for any school.
Contents
FOREWORD
PREFACE
Sunnyside's Story
Getting Help
Learning About Sunnyside
Using the Data
Beginning the Change
Skin in the Game
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION: Sharing the Lessons
PART I: DRIVING PRINCIPLES AND THE CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
Supporting Principles
The Conceptual Framework
Academic Press
Social Support
Relational Trust
Academic Press, Social Support, and Relational Trust Working Together
Change From the Outside In
PART II: LEADERSHIP LESSONS LEARNED
Leadership Lesson #1: One-on-One Is Powerful
Leadership Lesson #2: Intentional Actions Inspire Hopefulness
Leadership Lesson #3: Time Is Golden
Leadership Lesson #4: Positive Opposites-Action Teams
Leadership Lesson #5: Evidence Is Everything but not Anything
Leadership Lesson #6: If Time Is Golden, Then Language Is Platinum
Leadership Lesson #7: District Office: Friend or Foe?
Leadership Lesson #8: Support the Ones Who Support the Work
Summary
REFERENCES
INDEX
