Building on extensive evidence that school-based teacher learning communities improve student outcomes, this book lays out an agenda to develop and sustain collaborative professional cultures. McLaughlin and Talbert—foremost scholars of school change and teaching contexts—provide an inside look at the processes, resources, and system strategies that are necessary to build vibrant school-based teacher learning communities.Offering a compelling, straightforward blueprint for action, ...

Strategic Inquiry is an innovative model for promoting teacher collaboration around identifying specific “learning gaps” that keep struggling students from succeeding.Gaps may include anything from the proper use of commas and conjunctions to concepts such as “slope” in math. The authors argue that addressing these critical learning gaps can lead to big changes in student success, in teachers’ sense of efficacy, and in school culture.The strategic ...

Explore three defining challenges that school teams face when gathering, interpreting, and utilizing school data. Complete with survey questions for efficient data collection, group work structures, strategies, and tools—along with essential definitions and descriptions of data types—this compelling guide will help you confront data obstacles and turn struggling committees into powerful communities of learners.

The evidence is clear - school leaders make a difference to the learning of the pupils they serve. And yet, not all leaders have the same degree of impact. What are the factors that make the difference to student learning? Why are some leaders able to raise student achievement in schools in the most challenging circumstances whilst other leaders struggle to simply maintain the status quo?Drawing from international case study research over many years, from the experience of hundreds...

Educators are increasingly coming to realize the importance of making decisions based on reliable, accurate data. This short guide provides a blueprint for evaluating academic programs, practices, or strategies within a simple, effective framework. It includes a step-by-step walkthrough of the program evaluation cycle and an appendix that explains vital concepts and vocabulary in accessible language.

School leadership and management are fundamental components of school improvement. This is the first study of its kind to relate the principles of effective leadership to the broad spectrum of school life in Ireland.A key resource for school leaders in their personal and professional study, this book critically appraises issues in leading and managing schools. The editors bring together an array of renowned scholars to inform and stimulate the debate on the future of leadership dev...

Gunther, McGowan and Donegan draw on their own experiences and those of others in the field, to explain the importance of communication in school leadership. In focusing on the communication process—why it's critical for schools, and how it can be executed well—they make the case that communication must be a primary emphasis for leaders, not an afterthought.In Strategic Communications for School Leaders, the authors provide the insights and skills necessary for understanding the ro...

Significant changes in the policy and social context of teaching over the last 30 years have had substantial implications for teacher professionalism. As the influence of central regulation and marketisation has increased, so the scope for professional influence on policy and practice has in many cases diminished. Instead, teachers have had to respond to a range of other demands stemming from broader social changes, including greater public scepticism towards professional authority combine...

How can multiculturalism go wrong? Through extensive interviews conducted in a large Midwestern district, Antonia Randolph explores how teachers perceive students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds and the unintended consequences of a kind of “colorblind multiculturalism.” She unearths a hierarchy of acceptance and legitimacy that excludes most poor Black students and favors certain immigrant minorities. In addition, Randolph discovers how some teachers distinguish thei...

Learn how to become a leader who truly empowers and inspires others. This practical book shows you how to move from being a manager or administrator who simply gets things done to a leader who motivates others to succeed, creating a more positive work environment. The book covers 15 keys to success that can be used by those in any type of leadership position, from superintendent to principal to department chair or teacher-leader.You’ll discover how to...• Determine your own...

Backed by science and featuring examples drawn from some of the most contentious issues in modern society, this book shows how you can effectively navigate any disagreement without resorting to argument. With practical tips, real-world examples, and a step-by-step approach to the Socratic Method, "How to Win Arguments Without Arguing: Socratic Jujitsu" is a must-read for anyone looking to communicate effectively and resolve conflicts in a dignified and productive way.Benefits of Th...

*"English successfully challenges the established educational community to rethink the current state of research on school leadership in the social sciences...The inclusion of theory, discourse, and stories of recognized leaders followed by chapter learning extensions that include key concepts, movie recommendations, and prompted reflective journaling makes this book a most valuable resource for the educational leadership community." —*H.J. Bultinck, CHOICE"The Art of E...