Foreword by Grant Wiggins Afterword by Michael Fullan "[Parsons' work remind us] that collegial consideration of what works, what doesn't, and why is . . . interesting and enjoyable professional work." From the Foreword by Grant Wiggins "Whether you are planning a limited innovation in a few classrooms or implementing new state standards as a whole-school or districtwide change, this book will help you chart your course." Judith Renyi, Executive Director The NEA Foundation for the Improvement of Education "In clear, accessible language, Beverly Parsons demystifies evaluation and provides numerous practical examples of how schools can use the methods she describes to better understand the process of change and achieve their goals-and to create schools in which youngsters and adults thrive." Dennis Sparks, Executive Director National Staff Development Council "Parson's evaluative inquiry framework is a gold mine of ideas and designs. It is at once complex, accessible, and comprehensive." From the Afterword by Michael Fullan, Dean Ontario Institute for Studies in Education University of Toronto Improve learning for all students in all environments! Evaluative Inquiry advances the capacity of teachers and principals to provide more effective learning for all students in every type of academic environment. In this jargon-free book, Parsons delivers a systematic program evaluation process for gathering, analyzing, and identifying what changes are needed in schools today for productive learning. Parsons provides the guidance, step-by-step instructions, and easy-to-use forms to help educators and school leaders understand and implement this hands-on, in-depth program evaluation process. Evaluative Inquiry can help you discover if your programs and initiatives are making a difference and whether they enhance the successes of students and teachers alike. Three types of evaluative inquiry are explored in this book: Quality-Does the initiative promote high-quality learning? Sustainability-Can the initiative be sustained? Cultivation-Can the initiative be expanded and nurtured? This unique book puts the evaluative process into the hands of principals, teachers, administrators, board members, foundations, and community members. It contains a number of real-life case examples to clearly demonstrate how the process actually works and outlines the tangible, successful results you can expect to realize in your own school or district.
Through vivid, real-world examples and an engaging approach to effective leadership, visionary author John Hoyle masterfully illustrates the key to success in any industry, whether the setting is the classroom or the boardroom. Leadership and the Force of Love is a profound yet straightforward exploration of how leaders can inspire others to greatness through these six key actions: Visioning Communicating Teamworking Empowering Mentoring Evaluating Though educators are frequently faced with the challenges of politics, hostility, selfishness, and violence, Hoyle demonstrates that overcoming these obstacles requires teamwork, motivation, empowerment, and communication. While many have written about moral leadership, the notion of leading with love has been largely ignored. Hoyle discusses the implications for love in leadership and affirms once and for all that if you can't love you can't lead.
Through a comprehensive review of various afterschool programmes across the United States, respected authority on programme effectiveness Olatokunbo S. Fashola, sheds new light on "what works" to increase academic achievement during nonschool hours. Administrators, policy-makers, teachers, and researchers can benefit from the examples of both the successes and the shortcomings encountered by their colleagues in the quest to create enhanced learning opportunities in safe and enriching environments.
The Assistant Principal: Essentials for Effective School Leadership, is a combination guidebook and reference book aimed toward developing the role of the assistant principal as an integral position within school administration. It is intended to provide guidance for teachers preparing to become assistant principals, assistant principals preparing to be principals, and current assistant principals who need to develop the skills necessary to be effective school leaders. The book addresses the needs of students, instructors, and practitioners by discussing the ways in which effective leadership and strong relationships between faculty and administration will improve education. In order to assess the skills, knowledge, roles, and responsibilities required of the position, authors L David Weller and Sylvia J Weller administered a comprehensive survey to 100 assistant principals around the country. The results of the survey were used as the basis for the book's content. The Assistant Principal: Essentials for Effective School Leadership is a unique publication, using real life examples, case studies, exercises, and field-based research to show how the effectiveness of an assistant principal is dependent on communication, leadership skills, and knowledge.
An Administrator's Guide to Using Focus Groups in Schools
`Because of its comprehensive scope, this guidebook can be a single tool for designing and implementing focus groups in schools' Patricia A All, Assistant Superintendent Olathe District Schools Olathe, Kanas Focus groups of parents, students, community members, or teachers can be an effective means of gaining support for school decisions, for modifying programmes, and for conducting research. Yet most administrators don't have a clue about designing and running an effective focus group, much less how to ensure they're gathering valid and reliable information. Drawing on focus group methodology, this book uses educational examples, guidelines, and step-by-step guidance to help administrators utilize this powerful qualitative research tool.
This practical volume offers administrators and teacher leaders advice on how to maximize the benefit of staff development programmes. The authors address three challenges: How and what trainers should observe in a classroom; how they should analyze these observations; and how they can translate observations into feedback which will encourage teachers to enhance their professional effectiveness.
`An authoritative, research-based, thoroughly up-to-date and readable review of the best available techniques for science instruction' - Robert J Sternberg, IBM Professor of Psychology and Education Director, Center for the Psychology of Abilities, Competencies and Expertise (PACE Center) Yale University New Haven, Connecticut `Teachers are starved for this kind of presentation of information. The format of the book is very appealing, with a unique blend of research, practical applications and the voices of experience addressing "pitfalls." Its specific tips are targeted, focused and clearly presented'- Karen Charles, Math and Science Program Specialist Eisenhower Consortium at SERVE Greensboro, North Carolina `This book makes effective science teaching strategies readily available, truly at your "fingertips." I really appreciated the organization, especially the "what the research says" component' - Leslie C Gushwa, Science Department Chair 1998 San Diego County Teacher of the Year San Dieguito Academy Encinitas, Calafornia `Principals and lead teachers at all levels will find this valuable information useful as they work with their colleagues in professional development' - Raymond J Dagenais, Ed.D., Science Curriculum and Assessment Leader Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora Illinois The aim of this book is to bring some of the useful research findings about teaching science to the classroom teacher. The authors present the information in an authentic and useful context, and show how it can be applied in real classrooms with real students. More than 90 tips are included in seven chapters, each with a theme representing one aspect of the typical instructional programme. Each chapter presents a collection of teachings tips, concisely presented in a `user-friendly' format. Following the tips are sections explaining `What the Research Says' for each, as well as `Classroom' Applications, ` Precautions and Pitfalls, and `The References.' There is a great range of tips, from educational, psychological and sociological research studies and critiques. This diversity provides teachers with many choices that can serve as solutions to individual teaching and learning problems, and also provides inspirational triggers, offering opportunities for teachers' professional growth. This book is designed to provide an easy way for classroom teachers to benefit from the many ideas imbedded in the academic literature.
How to Hire, Coach, and Mentor Successful Teachers
In this quick-read resource for administrators and teachers, Elaine K Ewan explores the ten characteristics that lead to success in the classroom - increased school morale, satisfied parents, and eager, high-achieving students.This user-friendly guide shares practical insights into the ten crucial traits through real-life examples, experiences, research, and personal reflections from students, parents, and educators at all levels. Special features include: - Numerous graphic organizers to clearly illustrate the ten traits - More than 50 interview questions based on the ten traits to help administrators and teachers prepare for the all-important interview process - Dozens of exercises for principals to use to energize experienced teachers, empower new teachers, and nurture the ten traits - Examples from research that highlight the relationship between the traits and student achievement
Just as teachers strive to inspire their students, author Noah benShea aims to replenish the well of inspiration within teachers in his book, Great Quotes to Inspire Great Teachers. Educators are constantly challenged, not only to meet the needs of their students, but also to spark their enthusiasm for knowledge. The ideas in this book are culled ......
