Description
Book SynopsisAward-winning author and educator Linda Darling-Hammond examines the characteristics of successful educational leadership programs, and offers concrete recommendations for improvement. Their research reveals what effective programs look like, and what skills and knowledge participants in these programs gain.
Trade ReviewPraise for Preparing Principals for a Changing World "Linda Darling-Hammond and her co-authors focus laser-like attention on school leadership, superbly underscoring the urgent need to get it right. This book is full of clear recommendations on how to shape and sustain the leadership talent our schools deserve. It involves collaborative, common-sensed approaches, such as cohort structures, carefully targeted recruitment, collegial support networks, and real-world learning experiences."
—Arlene Ackerman, superintendent, School District of Philadelphia
"Preparing Principals for a Changing World is the definitive guide for educators engaged in leadership. This profoundly insightful book clearly addresses the key issues of how to best prepare and support principals."
—Michael Fullan, author of The Six Secrets of Change: What the Best Leaders Do to Help Their Organizations Survive and Thrive
"Linda Darling-Hammond and her co-authors provide research and insight that drives home the point that effective principals are a prerequisite for effective schools. They explicitly state that principals' preparation, development, and readiness are critical factors in advancing and sustaining successful school redesign. Additionally, Darling-Hammond and her colleagues highlight the characteristics of principal development programs—identifying the specific components that make a difference in preparing school leaders and best practices that have the potential to impact all preparation programs. This book makes a significant contribution to the preparation of tomorrow's school leaders."
—Gerald N. Tirozzi, executive director, National Association of Secondary School Principals
Table of ContentsPreface vii
Acknowledgments ix
About the Authors xi
1. Developing School Leadership: The Current Challenge 1
2. Studying Exemplary Programs 23
3. Preparing New Leaders: What Successful Programs Do 45
4. Sustaining School Leaders: Supports for On-the-Job Learning 79
5. Evaluating Programs: What Well-Prepared Principals Know and are Able to Do 99
6. Supporting Exemplary Programs 123
7. Creating Policy for Leadership Development 149
8. Pulling it All Together: Conclusions and Implications 179
Appendix A: Research Methods 193
Appendix B: Survey Instruments 217
Appendix C: Cross-State Comparisons of Principals’ Survey Responses 281
References 301
Index 309
