Despite the many `alternative' schools and programmes in the United States designed to redirect the lives of at-risk youth, the majority of these in fact serve to isolate and segregate. This challenging book presents a comprehensive plan for those interested in creating truly alternative educational programmes for this group. John Kellmayer outlines the key characteristics of alternative programmes, describes alternative models and explains how to implement and manage these programmes. He also provides strategies on how to empower teachers, involve students in their own education and evaluate alternative programmes.
A Tool-Based Guide for Evaluating Educational Programs
"A wonderful tool! No educational jargon to weed through. The author meshes the real world with the ideal world and provides a concrete guide for principals to work with their faculty." -Marie Blum, Superintendent Canaseraga Central School, NY "Provides insight, evidence, humor, and most important, practical tools every educator and school leader can use. With the wisdom earned through decades of work in schools of every conceivable description, Cox guides us through the belief systems and data analysis, as well as the impact of demographic characteristics, teaching practices, and leadership decisions on student achievement." -Douglas Reeves, Chairman Center for Performance Assessment Focus on program quality-not just test scores-and watch student achievement climb! In this remarkable book, renowned educational consultant James Cox offers a smarter way to look at data, putting test scores in context, not in isolation. Rather than focusing on last year's findings for school improvement, educators can learn how to evaluate the processes and practices that lead to those data by using a user-friendly, three-pronged framework for school improvement: teacher quality, program elements, and leadership. This concise, practical guide offers easy-to-use tools and techniques for schools and districts to evaluate their programs using both quantiative and qualitative data. School leaders will learn to look at data, program evaluation, and school improvement differently and discover how to effectively: Define a quality program Analyze what is and is not working Avoid "test score fatigue" Packed with worksheets, step-by-step instructions, and an extensive appendix of tools, this book provides readers with a complete improvement plan to put into action today!
'The clear intention of the authors is to motivate, persuade and give confidence to those who might otherwise think that research can only be carried out by teams of university staff' - ESCalate Most Teaching Assistants (TAs) studying for Foundation Degrees need to do Action Research projects. This book acts as an introduction to research methods, and will be especially useful if you are doing such work for the first time. It: " introduces the basic principles and practice of research methods; " provides an overview of the processes involved in Action Research; " shows you how to identify an issue, design and carry out a course of action and evaluate the impact of this action; " uses real case studies from practising TAs. The content of the book relates to both Early Years and Primary settings, and there are case studies from a variety of settings. Anyone studying for a Foundation Degree, or working towards HLTA status, will find this book meets their needs. Claire Taylor is Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree at Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln. Min Wilkie is Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree in Educational Studies for Teaching Assistants at the University of Leicester. Judith Baser has worked in a wide range of educational settings, including 5 years as a teaching assistant. More recently, she has run training courses for teaching assistants in ways to support children's learning and development.
A Tool-Based Guide for Evaluating Educational Programs
"A wonderful tool! No educational jargon to weed through. The author meshes the real world with the ideal world and provides a concrete guide for principals to work with their faculty." -Marie Blum, Superintendent Canaseraga Central School, NY "Provides insight, evidence, humor, and most important, practical tools every educator and school leader can use. With the wisdom earned through decades of work in schools of every conceivable description, Cox guides us through the belief systems and data analysis, as well as the impact of demographic characteristics, teaching practices, and leadership decisions on student achievement." -Douglas Reeves, Chairman Center for Performance Assessment Focus on program quality-not just test scores-and watch student achievement climb! In this remarkable book, renowned educational consultant James Cox offers a smarter way to look at data, putting test scores in context, not in isolation. Rather than focusing on last year's findings for school improvement, educators can learn how to evaluate the processes and practices that lead to those data by using a user-friendly, three-pronged framework for school improvement: teacher quality, program elements, and leadership. This concise, practical guide offers easy-to-use tools and techniques for schools and districts to evaluate their programs using both quantiative and qualitative data. School leaders will learn to look at data, program evaluation, and school improvement differently and discover how to effectively: Define a quality program Analyze what is and is not working Avoid "test score fatigue" Packed with worksheets, step-by-step instructions, and an extensive appendix of tools, this book provides readers with a complete improvement plan to put into action today!
"The author's observation and analysis of the various aspects of listening certainly point out the 'art of administration'.'Knowing how to listen and accurately interpret what is heard is a true art. Readers should study this very closely." Richard Flynn, Assistant Professor College of Education, Murray State University "The author understands and listens to the needs of the educational leader and provides useful tools for coping with the diverse needs and challenges of the educational environment." Michael Purdy, Professor of Communication Governors State University "Tate and Dunklee provide insights into the needs of the speakers and strategies to improve listening effectiveness, illustrating how enhancing listening skills would benefit the entire school culture." Katherine Taber, Principal Jefferson Elementary School, Norman, OK Develop strategic listening skills to help advance your overall communication expertise! The ability to communicate effectively with multiple constituencies is recognized as an essential characteristic of effective leaders. Listening strategically is a way of showing parents, students, faculty, staff, and others that their ideas and beliefs are of value. Jeannine Tate and Dennis Dunklee's practitioner-friendly book concentrates on the importance of listening as a critical interpersonal skill for school leaders in guiding their organizations. Strategic Listening for School Leaders offers valuable, practical insights and research on how listening, serious conversation, and thoughtful dialogue strengthen school leaders' ability to understand others' strengths, motivations, and weaknesses. By learning to listen, the authors demonstrate how a leader can bring out the best in everyone. Focusing on an effective style of listening, the authors present: The basic theories underlying strategic listening Succinct examples of strategic listening in practice The positive impact of strategic listening on school leadership and school climate Strategic Listening for School Leaders will help advance your overall communication expertise and open up a whole new world of possibilities for student success. A powerful way to build a professional learning community is to build a community of strategic listeners!
'The clear intention of the authors is to motivate, persuade and give confidence to those who might otherwise think that research can only be carried out by teams of university staff' - ESCalate Most Teaching Assistants (TAs) studying for Foundation Degrees need to do Action Research projects. This book acts as an introduction to research methods, and will be especially useful if you are doing such work for the first time. It: " introduces the basic principles and practice of research methods; " provides an overview of the processes involved in Action Research; " shows you how to identify an issue, design and carry out a course of action and evaluate the impact of this action; " uses real case studies from practising TAs. The content of the book relates to both Early Years and Primary settings, and there are case studies from a variety of settings. Anyone studying for a Foundation Degree, or working towards HLTA status, will find this book meets their needs. Claire Taylor is Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree at Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln. Min Wilkie is Programme Leader for the Foundation Degree in Educational Studies for Teaching Assistants at the University of Leicester. Judith Baser has worked in a wide range of educational settings, including 5 years as a teaching assistant. More recently, she has run training courses for teaching assistants in ways to support children's learning and development.
A Field Guide for Improving the Context of Schooling
"This timely book is exactly what modern schools need, blending Fullan's theoretical genius about change with practical strategies that can work in any school. Readers will discover that it is practical, easy to use, and empowering for educators, with lots of room for personal choices at the school level." -Lyn Sharratt, Superintendent of Curriculum and Instructional Services, York Region District School Board, North Toronto, ON, Canada "This book is an easy read and provides a well developed idea of framing the school context for student achievement. The author provides excellent resources, worksheets, templates, walk-through and reflection ideas, and additional support materials." -Rosemarie Young, Past President, National Association of Elementary School Principals Encourage sustainable reform practices that foster development for the entire school community! Need an inspiring approach to school change? Need staying power for school improvement initiatives? Organized to make learning contagious throughout the school, this user-friendly guide helps create a culture of learning that promotes the simultaneous development of students, teachers, and parents-addressing specific ways to maximize study groups, student data, classroom walk-throughs, and more. The interactive self-assessment protocols focus on: Achieving a sense of purpose Facilitating program coherence Invigorating classroom teaching Supporting the professional development of teachers Developing wider circles of leadership Issuing a call to action for all educational communities, this easy-to-use manual offers a visionary yet grounded approach to revitalize educators and reenergize their efforts for meaningful, lasting reform.
Lessons Learned and Best Practices From Classrooms, Districts, and Schools
Master one of today's most successful school reform and school improvement strategies! The Whole-Faculty Study Group (WFSG) System is a student-centered, teacher-driven process for facilitating major staff development and schoolwide change. When applied properly, it has produced extraordinary results for thousands of educators and students in schools and school districts across the country. The Whole-Faculty Study Groups Fieldbook is a comprehensive guide to applying the WFSG process. Edited by Dale Lick and Carlene Murphy, this practical manual provides concrete strategies for implementing and sustaining a school improvement process in any environment. Offering extensive experience, each contributor explores a different aspect of Whole-Faculty Study Groups and supplies lessons learned and many first-hand examples of successful school reform and student performance enhancement. Written to complement existing resources or serve as a stand-alone guide, this book will Demonstrate how concepts can be applied in a variety of school improvement efforts Present relevant strategies and activities Illustrate how to use suggestions in real-world situations Highlight critical concepts through extensive case examples Provide helpful tips and lessons learned Explain how findings can be applied to professional learning communities Offering numerous illustrations of the WFSG System in action and a comprehensive collection of tools for initiating and sustaining successful improvement programs, this fieldbook is an essential resource for K-12 administrators, staff developers, and teachers involved with any type of school transformation effort.
Lessons Learned and Best Practices From Classrooms, Districts, and Schools
Master one of today's most successful school reform and school improvement strategies! The Whole-Faculty Study Group (WFSG) System is a student-centered, teacher-driven process for facilitating major staff development and schoolwide change. When applied properly, it has produced extraordinary results for thousands of educators and students in schools and school districts across the country. The Whole-Faculty Study Groups Fieldbook is a comprehensive guide to applying the WFSG process. Edited by Dale Lick and Carlene Murphy, this practical manual provides concrete strategies for implementing and sustaining a school improvement process in any environment. Offering extensive experience, each contributor explores a different aspect of Whole-Faculty Study Groups and supplies lessons learned and many first-hand examples of successful school reform and student performance enhancement. Written to complement existing resources or serve as a stand-alone guide, this book will Demonstrate how concepts can be applied in a variety of school improvement efforts Present relevant strategies and activities Illustrate how to use suggestions in real-world situations Highlight critical concepts through extensive case examples Provide helpful tips and lessons learned Explain how findings can be applied to professional learning communities Offering numerous illustrations of the WFSG System in action and a comprehensive collection of tools for initiating and sustaining successful improvement programs, this fieldbook is an essential resource for K-12 administrators, staff developers, and teachers involved with any type of school transformation effort.
