This fascinating book, written by two experts in school improvement, is for teachers and school leaders who are looking for ways to raise the organizational intelligence quotient (OIQ) of their classrooms and their schools. It is ideal for those who perceive themselves as the facilitators of learning - for students, for colleagues and for ......
Professional Learning and Personalization in High-Achieving Schools
High-achieving students and teachers-winning strategies from Title I schools! What makes a Title I school high-achieving, and what can we all learn from that experience? Professional learning and leadership that supports personalized instruction makes the difference, as captured in the ground-breaking research of authors Sonia Caus Gleason and Nancy Gerzon. This illuminating book shows how four outstanding schools are making individualized learning a reality for every teacher and student. The common thread is the commitment to equity-every student achieving. Readers will find Guidance on identifying obstacles to equity within your school Background that builds a case for personalized learning Four case studies that show the lived values, professional learning practices, leadership, and systems that have helped schools transform learning How-to's and templates for creating a team-based professional development program that expands individualized instruction in every classroom Discover new approaches for individual, team, and whole school professional learning that support personalized learning, drawn from schools that are leaders in overcoming challenges and creating opportunities. "Equity is not an afterthought to high achievement. Gleason and Gerzon's new book on outstanding equity-driven practice in four very different schools shows that if you want to raise the bar you have to start by narrowing the gap." -Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education Boston College
'An ideal text for challenging the thinking of those studying for NPQH... The conclusion by the authors suggests nine major points to consider if improvement for schools in extremely challenging circumstances is to happen and be sustained. These 'nine lesson for policy makers' are very frank and pertinent points, let's hope at least some of our policy makers read them!' - ESCalate 'Rarely does a book on education reform capture both the big and the small picture with such brilliant clarity. MacBeath and his colleagues furnish a 'no holds barred' account of the ins and outs of understanding and assessing the impact of schools struggling for success. A fascinating read' - Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE/University of Toronto Schools serving young people on the margins of society face a major challenge in trying to create an environment where students can succeed. The book examines key issues in the field of school improvement. More specifically, it draws on evidence from the SFECC (Schools Facing Exceptionally Challenging Circumstances) project to explore: o the policy context of schools on the edge o the nature of extreme challenges o the way schools have responded to extreme challenge o what seems to be effective in helping such schools to meet the challenge o obstacles to success and the facilities and resources that can make a difference o strategies to meet the needs of the local community and facilitate lasting change. Each of the authors has wide experience of school effectiveness and improvement, and of working with schools in disadvantaged communities in Britain, the USA and many other parts of the world. School leaders, local authorities, practitioners and all those involved in any aspect of school leadership and school improvement will find this book highly pertinent.
A Practitioner's Guide to Creating a Boy-Friendly School
You've seen it in your school: boys struggling to master basic literacy skills, sitting outside the principal's office, collecting labels like "hyperactive," getting failing grades. Checked out, kicked out, or dropped out, they're benched when they should be scoring goals on the academic playing field. As a school leader, Kelley King has walked the talk: she successfully led her own staff to close the gender gap in reading and writing in just one year. In her step-by-step, research-based leadership plan for jump-starting boys' achievement, she shares: Critical insight into the brain-based differences between boys and girls First-hand leadership and classroom experiences Ready-to-use activities and resources for leading a successful gap-closing initiative With tips, anecdotes, and more, Writing the Playbook provides educators in all roles with a blueprint for creating schools where boys (and girls!) thrive.
Reinvigorating School Culture to Improve Student Outcomes
Your start-up menu for super-charged culture change There's an invisible thread woven through your school that defines everything from dress codes to student success. It's your school culture, and reshaping it will yield highly visible improvements for teachers and students. Leslie Kaplan and William Owings guide you in improving leadership, teaching, learning, confidence, and trust throughout your school. Culture Re-Boot reframes school culture to include organizational learning, relational trust, accountability, program improvement, and teacher effectiveness while showing you how to: Be the transformational leader your school needs to reinvigorate your school culture Establish a student-centered learning culture focused on student outcomes Engage teachers in culture-focused leadership teams that support teacher and student learning Get parents and community on-board to collaborate for student achievement Connect professional development and school culture for maximum results Packed with hands-on culture re-boot activities to help school leaders and faculty revitalize their school's values and practices, this practical handbook for school improvement will energize your school's culture and build the capacity to help all students succeed.
