Meets "the highest standard of evidence" for comprehensive school reforms that improve student achievement. Review of Educational Research, 2003 "A unique feature of James Comer's school improvement is the comprehensiveness of his ecological approach. It necessarily involves all of the key players in each individual school setting and provides guidelines for their interaction. . . .The domain of educational change is not without good ideas, but it is rare to find them translated into the substance and strategies necessary to getting them into school practices. This handbook will help enormously to keep alive what James Comer and his colleagues have so carefully crafted over the years." John I. Goodlad, President Institute for Educational Inquiry The tried, tested, and true approach to school leadership using consensus, collaboration, and no-fault problem solving! For more than 35 years, the Yale School Development Program (SDP) has been pioneering the Comer Process for planned change in schools. From initial planning and preparation, through foundation building, transformation, institutionalization, and renewal, the Comer Process provides school leaders with a comprehensive and effective framework for transforming their schools and districts into learning communities that support the growth and development of every child and every adult. Combining research; evidence-based best practices; essential tools for planning, data analysis, assessment, and program evaluation, and a generous collection of sample letters, sample presentations, charts, tables, and graphics, Transforming School Leadership and Management to Support Student Learning and Development offers educators a state-of-the-art guide to: Identifying the problems the school wants to solve through reform efforts Designing a comprehensive school plan that includes assessment, modification, and staff development Using facilitators to model excellence and to promote team approaches Using teams for school planning and management, student and staff support, and promoting parent/family involvement and community investment in schools Training for teaming skills that support and develop consensus decision making Implementing and sustaining the school's transformation into an effective and efficient operating system that supports student and staff growth and development Transforming School Leadership and Management to Support Student Learning and Development is sure to be the essential resource for every school leader charged with creating schools, districts, and communities that foster the healthy development of young people and challenge them to the highest academic standards.
Meets "the highest standard of evidence" for comprehensive school reforms that improve student achievement. Review of Educational Research, 2003 "A unique feature of James Comer's school improvement is the comprehensiveness of his ecological approach. It necessarily involves all of the key players in each individual school setting and provides guidelines for their interaction. . . .The domain of educational change is not without good ideas, but it is rare to find them translated into the substance and strategies necessary to getting them into school practices. This handbook will help enormously to keep alive what James Comer and his colleagues have so carefully crafted over the years." John I. Goodlad, President Institute for Educational Inquiry The tried, tested, and true approach to school leadership using consensus, collaboration, and no-fault problem solving! For more than 35 years, the Yale School Development Program (SDP) has been pioneering the Comer Process for planned change in schools. From initial planning and preparation, through foundation building, transformation, institutionalization, and renewal, the Comer Process provides school leaders with a comprehensive and effective framework for transforming their schools and districts into learning communities that support the growth and development of every child and every adult. Combining research; evidence-based best practices; essential tools for planning, data analysis, assessment, and program evaluation, and a generous collection of sample letters, sample presentations, charts, tables, and graphics, Transforming School Leadership and Management to Support Student Learning and Development offers educators a state-of-the-art guide to: Identifying the problems the school wants to solve through reform efforts Designing a comprehensive school plan that includes assessment, modification, and staff development Using facilitators to model excellence and to promote team approaches Using teams for school planning and management, student and staff support, and promoting parent/family involvement and community investment in schools Training for teaming skills that support and develop consensus decision making Implementing and sustaining the school's transformation into an effective and efficient operating system that supports student and staff growth and development Transforming School Leadership and Management to Support Student Learning and Development is sure to be the essential resource for every school leader charged with creating schools, districts, and communities that foster the healthy development of young people and challenge them to the highest academic standards.
Creating safe schools from the inside out This book details a comprehensive process for empowering students and teachers as school improvement leaders and "experts." Bill Preble and Rick Gordon explain how schools can use the SafeMeasures (TM) collaborative action research process to: Collect and analyze school climate data Develop improvement goals Create exciting and inspiring action plans to dramatically improve their school's climate and student engagement Each chapter features success stories from real schools, strategies and implementation activities, and book study questions that help all stakeholders transform both their school climate and student learning.
This short, practical "how-to" book describes setting up block scheduling for middle and high schools. Block schedules are seen as useful restructuring tools because they allow enough instruction time to facilitate problem-solving approaches to learning. However, they are not easily implemented and require a great deal of planning. The author provides a planning guide that discusses probable barriers and sources of resistance, as well as strategies for overcoming problems. The strategies provided can be implemented in any school. This book will be a valuable resource for principals and central office directors of curriculum and instruction in their efforts to implement block scheduling. It includes practical information as well as recent study data and case studies.
"This book combats the stagnation of creativity in an era of increased accountability through standardized testing. It is an exceptionally well written, comprehensive book that will appeal to a variety of readers." -Beth Madison, Principal George Middle School, Portland, OR Discover how thinking and acting creatively can influence both teaching and learning! Creativity is a vital part of living for everyone-and for teachers and students, it's a requirement for success in the 21st century. Built on that core belief, this inspiring book provides teachers with a step-by-step plan for accessing their own creative resources and cultivating a more creative teaching practice. Offering a breakdown of the creative process as it applies to both lesson building and delivery, the author provides a range of applications, examples, and strategies across multiple content areas and grade levels. This practical resource helps teachers and administrators: Gain confidence in their own ability to teach from their strengths and to elicit students' strengths and creativity Access their ability to think and act more creatively in the classroom Enhance learning by engaging, motivating, and inspiring students with an array of research-based, creative teaching strategies Learn how to identify creativity that furthers educational goals Discover how the power of technology can help facilitate creative thinking Use creativity to transform your teaching practices and prepare your students for the challenges of today and tomorrow!
A System to Enhance Teacher and Student Motivation
Motivation is foundational to learning This book's bold new vision for professional learning emphasizes the importance of intrinsic motivation and respect for cultural diversity to create a transformative approach to school improvement. Knowing that culture and motivation are inseparable influences on learning, Margery B. Ginsberg provides practical steps that focus on teaching and learning grounded in the reality of children's lives. Because motivated teachers tend to have motivated students, Ginsberg's professional development program creates the same motivational conditions for adult learning that work well for students. The book's processes include Shadowing students to help sharpen teachers' understanding of student motivation. Conducting home visits to better connect with students' lives and families Collaborating with other teachers to design lessons Analyzing data in collaboration with students, families, and community members Included are an abundance of field-tested tools, templates, and protocols. Teachers and administrators will find an experienced voice of reason to guide them through today's maze of increasing demands as they work toward the ultimate goal of engaging all students.
'Public education is constantly evolving, and new challenges require school officials to be insightful, well planned, and innovative. It is because of these changing times that this book, which offers a different view of systems analysis and organizational behavior, is so valuable' - Frank Bush, Executive Director Indiana School Boards Association 'Educational leaders need a basis for confident decision making. The authors have a solution for challenging times' - Kay Harmless, Interim Director, Indiana Principal Leadership Academy, Indiana Department of Education 'A great read for leaders desiring to practically apply principles of sincerity, integrity, and commitment to an organization's culture' - James Thompson, President, Gibraltar Design, Inc. What decisions are in the best interest of students, teachers, staff, and others in your school community? Transformational Leadership & Decision Making in Schools emphasizes the need for a resilient decision-making pedagogy, helping school leaders find and re-centre their approaches to making good and productive decisions for their schools and districts. This important resource provides methods and strategies to tackle tough decisions, providing concise step-by-step considerations to inform your decision making. Some of the essential information included: - A personal decision-making self-assessment - Reflective thinking sections for individual reflection and group conversation - Discussion of the role of vision and mission - Ideas surrounding motivation and the capacity for change - A look at barriers to decision making - Information on developing respect and rapport Transformational leadership and decision making gives school leaders the confidence to make the best decisions that can positively impact student achievement, school climate, and goal alignment
'Public education is constantly evolving, and new challenges require school officials to be insightful, well planned, and innovative. It is because of these changing times that this book, which offers a different view of systems analysis and organizational behavior, is so valuable' - Frank Bush, Executive Director Indiana School Boards Association 'Educational leaders need a basis for confident decision making. The authors have a solution for challenging times' - Kay Harmless, Interim Director, Indiana Principal Leadership Academy, Indiana Department of Education 'A great read for leaders desiring to practically apply principles of sincerity, integrity, and commitment to an organization's culture' - James Thompson, President, Gibraltar Design, Inc. What decisions are in the best interest of students, teachers, staff, and others in your school community? Transformational Leadership & Decision Making in Schools emphasizes the need for a resilient decision-making pedagogy, helping school leaders find and re-centre their approaches to making good and productive decisions for their schools and districts. This important resource provides methods and strategies to tackle tough decisions, providing concise step-by-step considerations to inform your decision making. Some of the essential information included: - A personal decision-making self-assessment - Reflective thinking sections for individual reflection and group conversation - Discussion of the role of vision and mission - Ideas surrounding motivation and the capacity for change - A look at barriers to decision making - Information on developing respect and rapport Transformational leadership and decision making gives school leaders the confidence to make the best decisions that can positively impact student achievement, school climate, and goal alignment
Foster a love of mathematics by creating a more inclusive and empowering learning environment through asset-based teaching! An asset-based perspective on math education means starting with what students already know instead of focusing on what's missing. This approach elevates student thinking and reasoning skills. In this way, educators acknowledge that all students bring prior experiences, strengths, talents, and resources to the learning process and can contribute meaningfully in an authentic learning environment. Transform Your Math Class Using Asset-Based Teaching for Grades 6-12 provides insight into asset-based perspectives in mathematics education to create an environment where all students feel valued and capable of being doers of mathematics. In the book, Michael Steele and Joleigh Honey highlight the importance of using language, instructional routines, and systemic structure that positively impact student engagement, their math identity, and ultimately their outcomes. Providing a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies that can be used to transform math classrooms into inclusive, supportive, and empowering learning environments, this book: Introduces an asset-based perspective that focuses on students' strengths, assets, and potential to learn mathematics Includes a variety of frameworks and tools that teachers can use to build and grow their sense of asset-based perspectives Offers strategies for promoting a growth mindset in mathematics, encouraging productive struggle in math, and promoting equitable math instruction Supports teachers in reflecting on their decisions, self-awareness, and self-management Includes a companion online study guide to support teachers individually or as part of a professional learning community Adopting asset-based perspectives is about movement over time, not about flipping a switch. This book paves the path for an asset-based journey that ultimately helps to transform our math classrooms and advance all students' learning and development.
