Download or read book The Urban School Superintendent of the Future written by John Merrow and published by . This book was released on 1974 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book The Urban School System of the Future written by Andy Smarick and published by R&L Education. This book was released on 2012-10-12 with total page 198 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For more than two generations, the traditional urban school system—the district—has utterly failed to do its job: prepare its students for a lifetime of success. Millions and millions of boys and girls have suffered the grievous consequences. The district is irreparably broken. For the sake of today’s and tomorrow’s inner-city kids, it must be replaced. The Urban School System of the Future argues that vastly better results can be realized through the creation of a new type of organization that properly manages a city’s portfolio of schools using the revolutionary principles of chartering. It will ensure that new schools are regularly created, that great schools are expanded and replicated, that persistently failing schools are closed, and that families have access to an array of high-quality options. This new entity will focus exclusively on school performance, meaning, among other things, our cities can thoughtfully integrate their traditional public, charter public, and private schools into a single, high-functioning k-12 system. For decades, the district has produced the most heartbreaking results for already at-risk kids. The Urban School System of the Future explains how we can finally turn the tide and create dynamic, responsive, high-performing, self-improving urban school systems that fulfill the promise of public education.
Download or read book Collaboration to Build Competence written by Terry A. Clark and published by . This book was released on 1991 with total page 80 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Collaborative Efforts Action Group of the Urban Superintendents' Network moved from an examination of the roles of schools, businesses, and community agencies in improving the quality of education in America to promoting the creation of comprehensive collaboratives that can strengthen family and community life. This report shares what superintendents have learned about collaboration. Strategies for developing the united front necessary for viable comprehensive collaborations are described in the following sections: (1) Introduction: The Spirit of Collaboration; (2) Building on Partnerships; (3) Key Collaborative Players; (4) Characteristics of Successful Collaboratives; (5) Measuring Success; and (6) Shaping Collaboratives for the Future. The superintendents urge colleagues in the nation's cities to explore the possibilities, broaden their perspectives, and lower bureaucratic barriers that inhibit children from reaching their full competence. Included are a 53-item list of references and a 37-item list of selected school-community partnerships in 24 cities. (SLD)
Download or read book The Superintendent of the Future written by Robert Richard Spillane and published by Jones & Bartlett Learning. This book was released on 1998 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: American education has been, and will continue to be, a high-profile subject; and in the end, it is school superintendents who carry the weight of the effort when it comes to school improvement. This book provides an inside perspective on the superintendency today and where it's headed tomorrow, with a focus on practical action. Case studies developed around actual school systems highlight key issues in this must-have book.
Download or read book Keepers of the Flame written by Theodore J. Kowalski and published by Corwin. This book was released on 1995-02-21 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Superintendents of large, urban public school systems hold one of the most challenging and important roles in educational administration. Even though the very future of our great city schools is in jeopardy and in need of strong, consistent leadership, the average tenure for the urban superintendency is only 2.5 years - and the number of candidates for the job is dwindling. Theodore Kowalski has crafted a unique and informative study of the critical role of urban superintendents. In addition to having served as a superintendent himself, Kowalski studied the lives of 17 superintendents in office at the start of 1993. He examined their work lives, histories, personalities, leadership styles, rewards and frustrations, and more. Especially enlightening is the discussion of how the community environment, organizational climate and culture, controversial school reform policies, and politics affect overall administrative behavior and the decision-making and effectiveness of the superintendent.
Download or read book Being Bad written by Crystal T. Laura and published by Teachers College Press. This book was released on 2015-04-28 with total page 145 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Being Bad will change the way you think about the social and academic worlds of Black boys. In a poignant and harrowing journey from systems of education to systems of criminal justice, the author follows her brother, Chris, who has been designated a “bad kid” by his school, a “person of interest” by the police, and a “gangster” by society. Readers first meet Chris in a Chicago jail, where he is being held in connection with a string of street robberies. We then learn about Chris through insiders’ accounts that stretch across time to reveal key events preceding this tragic moment. Together, these stories explore such timely issues as the under-education of Black males, the place and importance of scapegoats in our culture, the on-the-ground reality of zero tolerance, the role of mainstream media in constructing Black masculinity, and the critical relationships between schools and prisons. No other book combines rigorous research, personal narrative, and compelling storytelling to examine the educational experiences of young Black males. Book Features: The natural history of an African American teenager navigating a labyrinth of social worlds. A detailed, concrete example of the school-to-prison pipeline phenomenon. Rare insightsof an African American family making sense of, and healing from, school wounds. Suggested resources of reliable places where educators can learn and do more. “Other books have focusedon the school-to-prison pipeline or the educational experiences of young African American males, but I know of none that bring the combination of rigorous research, up-close personal vantage point, and skilled storytelling provided by Laura in Being Bad.” —Gregory Michie, chicago public school teacher, author of Holler If You Hear Me, senior research associate at the Center for Policy Studies and Social Justice, Concordia University Chicago “Refusing to separate the threads that bind the oppressive fabric of contemporary urban life, Laura has crafted a story that is at once astutely critical, funny, engaging, tearful, dialogue-filled, profoundly theoretical, despairing, and filled with hope. Being Bad is a challenge and a gift to students, families, policymakers, soon-to-be teachers, social workers, and ethnographers.” —Michelle Fine, distinguished professor, Graduate Center, CUNY "Perhaps more than any other study on this topic, this book brings to life the complicated, fleshed, lived experience of those most directly and collaterally impacted by the politics of schooling and its relationship to our growing prison nation.” —Garrett Albert Duncan, associate professor of Education and African & African-American Studies, Washington University in St. Louis
Download or read book Urban School Leadership written by Tom Payzant and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2010-11-04 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This important book, written by educational expert and urban school leader, Tom Payzant, offers a realistic understanding of what urban school leadership looks like from the inside. Payzant shares his first-hand knowledge of the unique managerial, instructional, and political tasks of this role. Effectively combining practical lessons and research, Urban School Leadership includes in-depth analysis of various leadership concerns. The book covers topics such as improving student achievement, working with unions, building community, and maintaining and developing resources. Most importantly, it offers stories of real school leaders whose successes and missteps reveal the inherent "messiness" of this difficult job. Urban School Leadership is part of the Jossey-Bass Leadership Library in Education series. "This important book provides compelling examples of how effective leaders can have hope, see progress, and achieve success for all children in the schools and districts they lead."—Richard Riley, former United States Secretary of Education "Tom Payzant is one of the few people who could provide such a comprehensive, useful book for educational leaders at all levels. This very practical book is grounded in the important experiences and impressive judgment of one of our nation's most successful school superintendents"—Jon Schnur, co-founder and CEO, New Leaders for New Schools "Tom Payzant is one of the finest urban educators of our generation. Urban School Leadership is compelling, crisp, and wise—providing a clear path for those dedicated to improving the trajectory of children's lives."—Timothy F.C. Knowles, executive director, Center for Urban School Improvement, University of Chicago "Urban School Leadership is a must read for anyone interested in the landscape of urban public education in America."—Beverly Hall, superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools
Download or read book Magnet and Specialized Schools of the Future written by Edwin T. Merritt and published by R&L Education. This book was released on 2005 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The authors bring together essential information on every stage of the process of creating a new public educational facility for boards of education, school building committees, district superintendents, and other decision makers. This book features case studies of recent exemplary magnet and specialized school construction projects, and provides a detailed educational specification that's genuinely future-oriented.
Download or read book Effective Superintendent School Board Practices written by Rene S. Townsend and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2006-09-14 with total page 153 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "The authors fill a gap in the literature by providing a practical, experience-based look at how superintendents should approach the most important relationship in their professional lives. Working effectively with school boards is what it is all about, and this book shows you how." -Paul D. Houston, Executive Director, American Association of School Administrators "This book provides practical insights and useful ideas to help district leaders who are serious about keeping the educational interest of children first among their priorities." -Pedro A. Noguera, Professor, New York University "Clearly lays out the important role the superintendent has in leading the district in partnership with the board of education. This book is well worth the time of every current and aspiring superintendent and school board member!" -Anne Bryant, Executive Director, National School Boards Association "This book is a useful tool in building district governance teams. The authors′ collective wisdom provides valuable insight for superintendents and school board members." -Luan B. Rivera, President, California State Boards Association "A wonderful, clear, and jargon-free primer on how to be a successful superintendent. This book is must reading for superintendents and a real plus for school boards." -Dede Alpert, Former California State Senator, Former Member, California State Assembly "An outstanding fieldbook for those interested in down-to-earth strategies for navigating the complexities of providing leadership in school districts." -General Davie, Jr., Retired Superintendent of Schools Foster a strong superintendent-school board relationship centered on quality teaching and learning! Effective Superintendent-School Board Practices helps current and future superintendents and school board members develop an effective governance team that prioritizes quality teaching and learning. Designed for practicing and aspiring superintendents and school board members, this exceptional book relates the everyday experiences and challenges faced by this important district team. Combining 84 years of service as superintendents in urban, rural, and suburban school districts, the authors offer: Real-life vignettes that highlight problems, successes, key points, and useful practices Indispensable information on building relationships, creating a team, managing conflict, and staying focused on the mission and priorities of the district Reflective practice questions and self-assessments throughout This rich resource offers knowledge, skills, and strategies to teach and inspire current and future leaders, based on the experiences of practitioners who have learned what works and what doesn′t, leaving valuable time to focus on student achievement.
Download or read book The Education We Need for a Future We Can t Predict written by Thomas Hatch and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2021-01-19 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Improve Schools and Transform Education In order for educational systems to change, we must reevaluate deep-seated beliefs about learning, teaching, schooling, and race that perpetuate inequitable opportunities and outcomes. Hatch, Corson, and Gerth van den Berg challenge the narrative when it comes to the "grammar of schooling"--or the conventional structures, practices, and beliefs that define educational experiences for so many children—to cast a new vision of what school could be. The book addresses current systemic problems and solutions as it: Highlights global examples of successful school change Describes strategies that improve educational opportunities and performance Explores promising approaches in developing new learning opportunities Outlines conditions for supporting wide-scale educational improvement This provocative book approaches education reform by highlighting what works, while also demonstrating what can be accomplished if we redefine conventional schools. We can make the schools we have more efficient, more effective, and more equitable, all while creating powerful opportunities to support all aspects of students’ development. "You won’t find a better book on system change in education than this one. We learn why schools don’t change; how they can improve; what it takes to change a system; and, in the final analysis, the possibilities of system change. Above all, The Education We Need renders complexity into clarity as the writing is so clear and compelling. A powerful read on a topic of utmost importance." ~Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus, OISE/Universtiy of Toronto "I cannot recommend this book highly enough – Tom tackles long-standing and emerging educational issues in new ways with an impressive understanding of the challenging complexities, but also feasible possibilities, for ensuring excellence and equity for all students." ~Carol Campbell, Associate Professor, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto
Download or read book The Contemporary Superintendent written by Lars G. Bjork and published by Corwin Press. This book was released on 2005-06-28 with total page 305 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The role, practice, and preparation of today and tomorrow′s superintendent! A strong superintendent is critical to the success of an entire school district. So why is it one of the most deregulated positions? Over the past several decades, many states have either rescinded licensing requirements for school district superintendents or abandoned regulations altogether. The Contemporary Superintendent offers a scholarly and objective analysis of the issues surrounding the state policies that appoint superintendents. Lars G. Björk and Theodore Kowalski have developed a coherent guide to critical professional aspects such as superintendent licensures, professional preparation, and staff development. Featuring the research of educational leadership specialists, this resource is not to be missed! The Contemporary Superintendent includes: Quality strategies by the field′s top scholars to implement decisive practices for superintendents Detailed analysis of the concerns over superintendent qualifications and preparations An examination of past, present, and future practices of superintendents A distinct look at the evolution of the role of the superintendent Developed over a three-year period, the authors have compiled a collection of useful, hands-on strategies for aspiring and existing superintendents, as well as ideas for adoption in the educational administration, leadership professional development, and educational policy areas.
Download or read book Urban School Leadership written by Tom Payzant and published by Jossey-Bass. This book was released on 2010-12-14 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This important book, written by educational expert and urban school leader, Tom Payzant, offers a realistic understanding of what urban school leadership looks like from the inside. Payzant shares his first-hand knowledge of the unique managerial, instructional, and political tasks of this role. Effectively combining practical lessons and research, Urban School Leadership includes in-depth analysis of various leadership concerns. The book covers topics such as improving student achievement, working with unions, building community, and maintaining and developing resources. Most importantly, it offers stories of real school leaders whose successes and missteps reveal the inherent "messiness" of this difficult job. Urban School Leadership is part of the Jossey-Bass Leadership Library in Education series. "This important book provides compelling examples of how effective leaders can have hope, see progress, and achieve success for all children in the schools and districts they lead."—Richard Riley, former United States Secretary of Education "Tom Payzant is one of the few people who could provide such a comprehensive, useful book for educational leaders at all levels. This very practical book is grounded in the important experiences and impressive judgment of one of our nation's most successful school superintendents"—Jon Schnur, co-founder and CEO, New Leaders for New Schools "Tom Payzant is one of the finest urban educators of our generation. Urban School Leadership is compelling, crisp, and wise—providing a clear path for those dedicated to improving the trajectory of children's lives."—Timothy F.C. Knowles, executive director, Center for Urban School Improvement, University of Chicago "Urban School Leadership is a must read for anyone interested in the landscape of urban public education in America."—Beverly Hall, superintendent, Atlanta Public Schools
Download or read book Reinventing Public Education written by Paul Hill and published by University of Chicago Press. This book was released on 2009-02-15 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A heated debate is raging over our nation’s public schools and how they should be reformed, with proposals ranging from imposing national standards to replacing public education altogether with a voucher system for private schools. Combining decades of experience in education, the authors propose an innovative approach to solving the problems of our school system and find a middle ground between these extremes. Reinventing Public Education shows how contracting would radically change the way we operate our schools, while keeping them public and accessible to all, and making them better able to meet standards of achievement and equity. Using public funds, local school boards would select private providers to operate individual schools under formal contracts specifying the type and quality of instruction. In a hands-on, concrete fashion, the authors provide a thorough explanation of the pros and cons of school contracting and how it would work in practice. They show how contracting would free local school boards from operating schools so they can focus on improving educational policy; how it would allow parents to choose the best school for their children; and, finally, how it would ensure that schools are held accountable and academic standards are met. While retaining a strong public role in education, contracting enables schools to be more imaginative, adaptable, and suited to the needs of children and families. In presenting an alternative vision for America’s schools, Reinventing Public Education is too important to be ignored.
Download or read book Superintendent Leadership written by and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page 168 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The purpose of these comparative case studies was to understand how superintendents in urban districts use reform strategies to leverage systemic change to improve student achievement. The study focused on four effective superintendents of Broad Prize for Urban Education winning school districts. It examined leadership traits, core beliefs, behaviors and actions, leadership qualities, and identified commonalities and differences amongst these nationally recognized superintendents. The research questions provided a focus for evaluating the superintendent's selection of reform strategies, the district context in which they were implemented, and the influence of the superintendents' background and experience. The researcher gathered evidence by conducting individual interviews with each superintendent and members of his or her cabinet and by reviewing selected artifacts related to the districts demographics, professional development practices, reform initiatives, and student performance data. The researcher reviewed the data, seeking common themes, while watching for disproving evidence. The central themes related to the leadership profiles of these effective superintendents were: (a) longevity and breadth of service; (b) providing focused professional development; (c) building leadership capacity; (d) utilizing data driven results/monitoring data; (e) differentiating resources; (f) building relationships; (g) hiring the "right" people; (h) building strong board relations; and (i) launching only a few highly focused and impacted initiatives. These findings were consistent across all four superintendents. The findings and conclusions from this study generated recommendations for practice and policy making and recommendations for future research in support of leading and improving schools for increased student achievement. The recommendations are presented as they relate to specific areas of responsibility: school and district administrators, school board members, and policymakers and superintendent preparation programs. Recommendations from this study include: having a strategic plan that is aligned with district goals and actions and supported by stakeholders, hiring "the right leadership team," differentiating resources based on need, hiring a highly qualified superintendent, and providing mentors and coaches to aspiring administrators and superintendents. Recommendations for future research include: conducting additional case studies on the actions of other urban superintendents, possibly including a discrepancy analysis to determine if struggling districts are implementing the successful strategies identified in these four Broad Prize winning districts; examining effective superintendents who took a nontraditional path to the superintendency; and a study of superintendents of large urban districts who are home grown and brought up through the system.
Download or read book Balancing Act written by Barbara Loomis Jackson and published by University Press of America. This book was released on 1995 with total page 100 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: According to Barbara Jackson, public schools are and always have been part of the political process, and any effective school superintendent must maintain a delicate balance among forces and interests both political and educational. This book reviews the long history of the urban superintendent's changing role, with special attention to the racial and ethnic politics of the cities since the 1970s. Boston and Detroit are discussed as illustrative examples. The entire study is grounded in a wide range of published and unpublished information, including numerous interviews with urban superintendents and others in the field. Co-published with the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies Press.
Download or read book Revolution at the Margins written by Frederick M. Hess and published by Rowman & Littlefield. This book was released on 2004-05-13 with total page 300 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: For more than a decade, school choice has been a flashpoint in debates about our nation's schooling. Perhaps the most commonly advanced argument for school choice is the notion that markets will force public schools to improve, particularly in those urban areas where improvement has proved so elusive. However, the question of how public schools respond to market conditions has received surprisingly little attention. Revolution at the Margins examines the impact of school vouchers and charter schooling on three urban school districts, explores the causes of the behavior observed, and explains how the structure of competition is likely to shape the way it affects the future of public education. The book draws on research conducted in three school districts at the center of the school choice debate during the 1990s: Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Cleveland, Ohio; and Edgewood, Texas. Case studies examine each of these three districts from the inception of their local school choice program through the conclusion of the 1999 school year. The three school districts studied did not respond to competition by emphasizing productivity or efficiency. Instead, under pressure to provide some evidence of response, administrators tended to expand public relations efforts and to chip holes in the rules, regulations, and procedures that regulate public sector organizations. Inefficient practices were not rooted out, but some rules and procedures that protect employees and vocal constituencies were relaxed. Public school systems are driven by political logic, according to Hess, and their incentives lead them to respond generally through symbolic and metaphorical gestures. Choice-induced changes in public school systems will be shaped by public governance, the market context in which they operate, and their organizational characteristics. Revolution at the Margins encourages scholars and policymakers to think more carefully about the costs and benefits of educational competi
Download or read book A Case Study of the Experiences of Five Former and Current Urban Non traditional Superintendents written by Maria Severita Sanchez and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A growing number of traditional school boards and city mayors are looking for the next generation of school superintendents to come prepared with a variety of professional backgrounds to provide instructional leadership for school districts. The primary purpose of this qualitative study was to examine and describe the experiences, of five urban non-traditional superintendents. Associated research methods, namely interviews with study participants and the identification of major themes emerging from the data, were employed. Six emergent themes were revealed, including change agent, accountability, political connection/clout, school reform, student achievement and excellent leadership. Profiles of the participants were offered to provide a context for the results of this study. In relation to the major themes, these participants believed that their backgrounds in corporate worlds and other professions uniquely prepared them for the increased challenges of today's school superintendency. They all indicated that they assumed the helms in their respective school systems for altruistic reasons. However, once on the job, the participants noted that they suffered personally and professionally. They found themselves victims of little respect from the community, media and from their own governing bodies. In terms of preparation for the job, the non-traditional superintendents practiced self-study through reading leadership and journal articles and by attending conferences. The participants also experienced different challenges in gaining certification for the superintendency due to disparate state regulations governing licensure. Several recommendations resulted from the findings of this study. Since academic performance is the primary indicator of success or failure in education today, future researchers in this area might consider a quantitative analysis of student achievement in districts led by non-traditional superintendents compared to academic performance in those systems led by their traditional counterparts. In addition, it is suggested that these participants' views on superintendent preparation and certification and on governance issues may be considered by school districts, state and federal agencies and by universities as they develop future policy and programs. Other recommendations addressed the need to study female non-traditional superintendent governance and non-traditional leaders in smaller school districts as it relates to these issues.
