Understanding The Principalship

This volume originates from the International Study of Principal Preparation (ISPP), a collaborative project representing nearly a decade of research on principal preparation in countries throughout the world. The authors examine the dynamic changes that are affecting the way principals work and transforming the world of educational leaders.

The latest leadership textbook from respected author team Kaplan and Owings explores how principals can effectively build a culture around student achievement. Introduction to the Principalship helps aspiring principals understand how to develop a vision for improvement, make decisions and manage conflict, build teachers’ capacity, communicate, monitor the organization’s performance, and create a school climate of mutual respect. This important book provides readers with various leadership concepts to inform their practice, as well as the cognitive and practical tools to evaluate and prioritize what leadership actions to take. Each chapter offers opportunities for readers to create personal meaning and explore new ways of doing leadership to advance a positive, person-focused environment. Providing both the theoretical framework and skills for effective practice, Introduction to the Principalship addresses the issues most urgent and relevant for educational leadership graduate students learning how to build a school culture that promotes every student’s success. Special Features: • Learning Objectives—chapter openers introduce the topic and initiate student thinking. • Reflections and Relevance —interactive exercises, role plays, class activities, and assignments help readers think about content in personally meaningful ways, facilitate understanding of chapter content, and help transfer leadership thinking to action in their own schools. • ISLLC Standards—each chapter is aligned to the 2015 Interstate School Leadership Licensure Standards. • Companion Website—includes links to supplemental material, additional readings, and PowerPoints for instructors.

By detailing an explanatory sequential mixed methods study grounded in Critical Race Theory (CRT), this book explores the role of effective educational leadership in developing multicultural acceptance in predominantly white schools. Drawing on the rich experiences and accounts of school principals in rural middle schools in the US, the volume asks how principals’ personal attitudes, professional experiences, and the degree to which they view themselves as a mentor and influencer within the school impacts their approach to improving multicultural understanding amongst students, staff, and faculty. The text is organized into five clear chapters, providing critical reflections, a review of the relevant literature, and in-depth discussion of first-hand data. Six key findings relating to whole-school acceptance, the role of individual principal’s attitudes, and support for teaching staff open new avenues for research and inform recommendations for the professional development of school principals. In presenting key theory and practical implications of research, this book will be crucial reading for researchers, scholars, and practitioners in the fields of educational leadership, multicultural education, sociology of education, and teacher education.

The Ultimate Resource to cultivate self-awareness and excellence in Today’s Principals A commitment to continuous improvement paves the road to true leadership. New and veteran principals who understand this will translate thoughts into sound decisions and inspire a vision that can nurture others. They will drive progress and invite innovation. These are today’s newest superheroes, leading by example and cultivating greatness in others. But every superhero needs a mentor. In this updated bestseller, Beginning the Principalship, Daresh and Alexander offer intensive encouragement and help in a practical hands-on guide to help principals navigate the challenges of school leadership. The strategies and cases included here will inspire all school leaders and nurture their passion for the immense responsibility they have undertaken. Practical Questions, Points to Ponder, and numerous examples in every chapter help foster reflection and collaboration to build a shared vision for campus improvement. Plus, discover how to: Drive student learning as the primary mission of the school Deal with others’ expectations of you as principal Master the technical skills needed to run an efficient school Create and clarify a personal professional growth plan Work effectively with the greater community and parents Celebrate instructional and non-instructional staff in a positive school culture Don’t just survive your years as principal. Read this guide and thrive! "Novice and seasoned principals, and new and seasoned administrators would really benefit from reading this book for skill building and improvement. Each chapter provides a wealth of information and has a space to record one’s own plan for self-improvement." Delsia Easley, Principal Gadsden City Schools, Gadsden, AL "I am disappointed that I didn’t own this book when I started as a principal. This book would have answered some of my pressing questions and guided the work I did my first few years. I will recommend this to any friend or colleague starting a new principalship." Kelly VanLaeken, Principal Ruben A. Cirillo High School, Walworth, NY

The Principalship allows readers to gain a broader, more complex and accurate understanding of school administrator leadership in today's learning communities while presenting an expansive view of leadership within schools not limited to the responsibilities of the principal, but including those of assistant principals, administrators, teachers, and students. This innovative first edition text presents a complete picture of the principal as school administrator, community builder, advocate, manager, mentor, supervisor, politician, leader and learner. The Principalship covers the importance of learning: the learning of principals, the learning of other professionals, and especially the learning of students. School improvement is not possible without this across-the-board learning and exploration, and this text places a strong emphasis on this simple but often-overlooked aspect of school communities. Today's school systems are faced with a number of fresh challenges: changing student populations, rapidly expanding research knowledge, increasing accountability requirements, federal and state policy demands, and escalating expectations for school services. This book will help aspiring school leaders to bridge the gap between traditional conceptualizations of the principal and more innovative, functional, and multifaceted conceptualizations that respond to the changing conditions and higher demands of contemporary learning communities.

The second edition of this handbook is an easily understood desk companion for new school principals and aspiring school leaders. The common-sense approach of the handbook guides new administrators through daily routines and challenges. In-service and university professionals, who provide coursework that includes a multi-topic overview of the principalship, will also find a condensed representation of many facets of school leadership. The broad range of subjects includes important understandings and mindsets for effective school leadership. Information regarding the principal’s responsibilities, instructional leadership, managing student behavior, school safety, and connecting with external community stakeholders provides readers with essential tips for success. The format and scope of the book balance research-based materials and practical advice so that readers can quickly locate reliable and relevant information. The authors, Richard D. Kellough, and Phillys Hill, are experienced teachers and administrators. This updated and revised edition includes new information regarding school safety, professional learning communities, shared leadership, and tools for field application and reflective practice. This unique resource bridges theoretical learning and sound advice for effective school leadership.

An essential handbook for educating students in the 21st century, since its initial publication A Principal's Guide to Special Education has provided guidance to school administrators seeking to meet the needs of students with disabilities. The third edition of this invaluable reference, updated in collaboration with and endorsed by the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals and incorporating the perspectives of both teachers and principals, addresses such current issues as teacher accountability and evaluation, instructional leadership, collaborative teaching and learning communities, discipline procedures for students with disabilities, and responding to students' special education needs within a standards-based environment.