Description
Book SynopsisThe Politics of Authentic Engagement: Perspectives, Strategies and Tools for Student Success provides practical approaches for leaders in a variety of roles to address the changing landscape of schooling, build dynamic relationships in support of schools, help parents/families support their children's achievement and create a culture of engagement. Strategies described in this book teach how to serve as a listener, teacher, leader facilitator, and initiator in engaging others within professional settings to do meaningful work that benefits students. It''s companion book, Authentic Engagement: Perspectives, Strategies, and Tools for Student Success supports leaders in helping others learn to engage by providing handout, overheads, instructions, and other prompts to use in workshop settings.
Trade ReviewThis excellent book not only offers a convincing argument that educators must engage community members in the educational decisions that will affect them and their children, but it also provides the skills that educators and stakeholders must learn to be meaningfully engaged with one another. Real skills, such as story telling, listening, problem solving, conflict management, and facilitation. To cap it off, the book also shows how to apply those skills to real-world situations, such as community forums, focus groups, and action research. It should become an indispensable resource to enlightened educational leaders everywhere. -- Anne T. Henderson, author of the best-selling book, "Beyond the Bake Sale", a founder of the National Association for Family, School and Community Engagement and senior consultant, community organizing and engagement, Annenberg Institute for School Reform
All school board members and educators should read The Politics of Authentic Engagement. This practical book and its workbook provide strategies on how to engage underserved populations, busy, overwhelmed families and community members who have too much to do and are angry and confused in the present environment of polarization and self-righteousness. As school board members we must engage our stakeholders in civil community dialogue that is focused on solving problems that affect them and their children so they will share in the responsibility for the success of all students. Politics of Authentic Engagement shows us how. -- Lesley Dahlkemper, past board president and current board member Jefferson County Board of Education, Colorado (JEFFCO)
No one in the country has more experience than Kathy Leslie in listening closely to multiple school stakeholders, and then using that input to build understanding and broaden ownership of any recommended changes. These books provide decades of wisdom and practical advice. -- Adam Kernan-Schloss, president and CEO, KSA-Plus Communications, Arlington, Virginia
If you aspire to effectively engage each family in meaningful work that supports student success, and to develop parent leaders among all your stakeholders including families of color read The Politics of Authentic Engagement. Written by a leader in advanced engagement work Kathy Leslie arms the reader with perspectives, tools, templates and strategies to build a culture of stakeholder engagement and responsibility for the successful performance of all students. -- Joe Krumm APR, past president National School Public Relations Association and public relations director North Clackamas School District, Milwaukie Oregon
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter 1 – Discovering the Power of Authentic Engagement The Power of Authentic Engagement: A Story of Success The Pathway to Powerful School/Community Relationships The Landscape of Authentic Engagement Thinking Systemically to Link and Move Forward The Range of Vehicles for Engagement and Learning Best Hopes: Revitalizing Education and Democracy through Authentic Engagement Chapter 2 – Creating a Culture of Authentic Engagement Understanding Authentic Engagement: What It Is and Why Do It Nurturing a Culture of Engagement Promoting Generative Dialogue: The Heart of Community Engagement Chapter 3 – Collecting and Using Stakeholder Research Engaging Stakeholders in Action Research Focus Group Processes and Strategies Effective Use of Data Chapter 4 – Engaging Families/Stakeholders and Schools What a Partnership School Looks Like in Action … and What It Doesn’t Beyond Parent Involvement to Family Engagement What Families Need to Know about Education Chapter 5 – Facilitating Artfully Fundamentals of Facilitating Managing Conflict through Engagement Structures and Processes to Move Dialogue toward Action Chapter 6 – Planning Strategically Creating Sustainable Change through Strategic Planning Stages of Creating a System-wide Strategic Plan Other Applications of Planning Processes Chapter 7 – Reflecting on the Journey: Inspiring Change Engagement: A Ticket toward Common Ground – Gary Marx The Role of School Boards in Parent/Community Engagement Programs – Sherre Calouri A Stake in the Outcome: The Importance of Civic Engagement to Public Schools and Democracy – Janet Hogue A Business Perspective – John Boone Social Media: Communicating and Engaging in the New Neighborhood – Nora Carr Keeping Public Education Strong: Public Engagement Makes a Difference – Karen Kleinz Improving the Odds of Success for Our Country’s Children – Sylvia Soholt
