Description
Book SynopsisSchool improvement initiatives are often the focus of political agendas, professional conferences, and publications. While a plethora of school improvement resources and techniques exist, most explanations for employing school improvement strategies in differing contexts are extremely vague at best and non-existent at worst. Here, author Edward Harris explains and illustrates strategic, practical approaches for adapting and applying research-based school improvement strategies. While consideration is given to the principal's role in the school, the notion of school leadership is viewed in broader terms and includes teacher roles as well. The interrelationship of organizational culture and school leadership is also a key component of this book. One of the goals is to bridge the gap between the "theory" and "practice" of school leadership. Harris provides an explanation of Mary Douglas's typology of grid and group, substantive analytical tools and procedures to examine one's social context and assess school culture, and practical examples and suggestions for contextualizing and adapting school improvement strategies. This book features in-depth, practical applications and explanations of the following school improvement strategies: · Increasing student engagement and motivation · Providing focused, sustained professional development · Implementing organizational and management practices · Building links · Monitoring and accelerating improvement This book is useful for teachers, administrators, and anyone involved in teacher leadership preparation programs.
Table of ContentsPart 1 Acknowledgments Part 2 Preface Chapter 3 1 The Continuing Importance of Instructional Leadership Chapter 4 2 Understanding the Culture of Schools Chapter 5 3 Understanding Your School Culture Chapter 6 4 Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Individualist Contexts Chapter 7 5 Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Bureaucratic Contexts Chapter 8 6 Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Corporate Contexts Chapter 9 7 Putting Instructional Leadership Strategies to Work in Collectivist Contexts Chapter 10 8 Contextualization, Conflict, and Adaptive Leadership Part 11 Appendix A Social Game Assessment Tool Part 12 Appendix B Grid and Group Assessment Tool Part 13 Appendix C Grid and Group Graph Template Part 14 References Part 15 Index Part 16 About the Author
