The Principal Challenge

A Blueprint for Developing Tomorrow's School Leaders Based on two years of research supported by Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Broad Foundation, and the New Schools Venture Fund, The Principal Challenge focuses directly on the causes and cures of the crisis in school leadership. Marc Tucker, Judy Codding, and a stellar list of experts from the United States and abroad paint a revealing portrait of what it means to be a principal now, how and why most graduate schools of education have failed to provide the training principals need, what the military and business sectors do to create and support their leaders and managers, what the state of the art in professional training looks like, what other nations are doing to address this problem, and how to apply the very best practices in the world to solve the crisis in school leadership. This book is honest and hard-hitting. And it offers realistic solutions. Based on the thorough analysis provided by the chapter authors, the editors of The Principal Challenge offer an imaginative proposal for a new kind of institution that will train school principals to be turn-around artists. Drawing on the new forms of executive development programs in our business schools, they propose a similar program for school principals. The approach involves a close collaboration between the new institution and entire school districts, combining face-to-face instruction with web-based delivery. The innovative curriculum they describe, like the best approaches in business and industry, uses carefully developed cases, simulations, games, action projects, seminars and journaling, The editors offer a clear conception of what it might mean to be an instructional leader, a way of thinking about what it takes for a principal to be a strategic thinker, an approach that principals can use to take advantage of the best current thinking on knowledge management and professional development, a conception of the principal as school designer, an emphasis on the use of data to drive planning, and a host of tested ideas that principals can use to lead their schools to better results.

This unique book presents lessons a straight principal-turned-professor has learned through personal experience and research with gay and lesbian high school students. It begins with a young principal acknowledging that he, nor his administrative education program, had given any thought to issues surrounding students’ sexual orientation. However, when a senior in his tiny rural high school came out, the principal started down an unexpected path that would change his outlook on school leadership—and transform his practice. Presented in eight unique stories in students’ own words, we experience their challenges, fears, and triumphs—and see how their schools and the people in them both helped and hurt. Through their poignant, honest, familiar, and often surprising stories, we see how these eight students navigate what Unks (2003, p. 323) calls “the most homophobic institutions in American society.” Their stories also reveal an unexpected, yet vital lesson for educators, policy makers, and all those concerned with meeting students’ needs—that being gay or lesbian in high school does not automatically lead to bad outcomes. The students’ firsthand accounts, along with lessons learned by the once apprehensive principal, show that there is a much more positive, optimistic, and seldom-told story. The book challenges practicing and aspiring school leaders to: •Move beyond what we think we know about gay and lesbian students and see them as unique people with strengths and struggles, gifts and challenges •Examine the unique context of their schools and see how one size solution doesn’t fit all •Understand agency, agendas, and how gay-straight alliances can benefit all students •Summon the courage to transform our mission statements from slogans and live them everyday

Enter the real-life world of decision-making in a school community and experience how caring leadership inspires and enhances the learning of students and teachers. Explore what we know -- the theory and research -- about caring leadership in K-12 schools and the dilemmas and possibilities of school leadership grounded in caring. Filled with fascinating turns and complex questions, this book invites readers to become stronger and more fully themselves as caring persons and professionals.

The Principal: Leadership for a Global Society is the core textbook for aspiring and practicing K-12 school principals. Taking a practical and research-grounded approach, this inspiring text prepares school leaders to successfully face the challenges that they will deal with on a day-to-day basis and throughout their careers. From curriculum development to staff development to policy and discipline, it addresses the most up-to-date practices in developing leadership skills. The book provides a wide array of pedagogical features to help practicing and aspiring school principals improve programs, create a safer and more enriching environment for students and faculty; meet school, district, community, state, and national ideologies and standards; and much more. After reading The Principal, the educational leaders of tomorrow will be equipped with innovative, practical, and successful leadership concepts and ideas that will help them make a powerful impact on not just those who walk through the school doors, but the community as well.

Build a strong afterschool program that increases learning while incorporating standards! Research shows that participation in structured afterschool programs holds huge benefits for children’s academic and social development. But how can school principals create programs that help maximize student proficiency? This book holds the answers. Based on an AASA/Mott Foundation study, this concise yet comprehensive guidebook offers a step-by-step process to help principals and administrators build a successful and sustainable afterschool program. The author discusses how to integrate standards and incorporate a high-level curriculum and provides profiles of programs that have improved achievement, particularly for students who are at risk. School leaders will find checklists, planning worksheets, evaluation tools, and surveys, plus guidelines for: • Developing a parent and community base of support • Hiring staff and obtaining volunteers • Getting funding and grants • Collecting and evaluating program data This book will help school leaders identify the most effective ways to structure afterschool programs. The author shows how to avoid common problems and demonstrates through examples that, by working closely with staff and the community, it’s possible to raise student proficiency levels and cultivate academic success.