A School District’s Journey to Excellence

Lessons From Business and Education
William R. McNeal - North Carolina Association of School Administrators
Thomas B. Oxholm - Wake Stone Corporation
A School District’s Journey to Excellence
July 2008 | 208 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452293400
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412941587
Available from January 0001

Description

"A remarkable tool for educators and communities. We are fortunate that a very effective former superintendent and successful business person are willing to share their quest for ensuring that all students are well prepared for their futures."
—June St. Clair Atkinson, State Superintendent
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

"Blends business principles with excellent leadership in one of America's largest school districts to create a model for achieving excellence in school districts everywhere. This is a well-written, practical illustration of how a leader makes things happen."
—Larry Price, Superintendent
Wilson County Schools, NC

Learn how school districts can go from average to outstanding!

The challenge of preparing children and youth for success in the 21st century requires improvement in the business of education. This unique resource provides an inside account of how Wake County Public Schools, one of the nation's largest school districts, made significant gains in student achievement and school performance over a ten-year period to become a shining example of success.

Award-winning superintendent Bill McNeal and successful businessman/school board member Tom Oxholm show readers how they established a partnership to help students meet grade-level expectations and support schools in closing achievement gaps. Through the authors' experience and tips, readers will discover how to facilitate:

  • Improved educational outcomes, especially among minority populations
  • Progressive instructional leadership
  • Fiscal responsibility and efficient allocation of resources
  • Stronger school-community relationships

Rich in examples, case studies, and data, A School District's Journey to Excellence is a much-needed map to excellence in public education.

Contents

Foreword by Governor Jim Hunt

Foreword by Governor Jim Hunt

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. Leadership in Context
  • 2. Leadership and Courage
  • Accountability
  • Leadership
  • Organizing Your Leadership
  • Communicating With Your Public
  • Business Partnerships That Make a Difference
  • 3. Leadership and Brains
  • Goal Setting and Planning
  • Making Use of Retreats
  • Training Leaders
  • Measuring Success
  • Dollars and Sense
  • 4. Leadership and Heart
  • Students Matter Most
  • Teachers Matter Most
  • Parents Matter Most
  • Involving the Entire Village
  • 5. Bringing It All Home
  • Making a Home of the School
  • Conclusion

Afterword

Afterword

Appendices

  • A. Selected Readings Organized by Chapter
  • B. Criteria for a Superintendent's Evaluation
  • C. Recommendation for National Superintendent of the Year
  • D. National Recognitions for WCPSS and Wake County

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

"A remarkable tool for educators and communities. We are fortunate that a very effective former superintendent and successful business person are willing to share their quest for ensuring that all students are well prepared for their futures."
—June St. Clair Atkinson, State Superintendent
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

"Blends business principles with excellent leadership in one of America's largest school districts to create a model for achieving excellence in school districts everywhere. This is a well-written, practical illustration of how a leader makes things happen."
—Larry Price, Superintendent
Wilson County Schools, NC

Learn how school districts can go from average to outstanding!

The challenge of preparing children and youth for success in the 21st century requires improvement in the business of education. This unique resource provides an inside account of how Wake County Public Schools, one of the nation's largest school districts, made significant gains in student achievement and school performance over a ten-year period to become a shining example of success.

Award-winning superintendent Bill McNeal and successful businessman/school board member Tom Oxholm show readers how they established a partnership to help students meet grade-level expectations and support schools in closing achievement gaps. Through the authors' experience and tips, readers will discover how to facilitate:

  • Improved educational outcomes, especially among minority populations
  • Progressive instructional leadership
  • Fiscal responsibility and efficient allocation of resources
  • Stronger school-community relationships

Rich in examples, case studies, and data, A School District's Journey to Excellence is a much-needed map to excellence in public education.

Contents

Foreword by Governor Jim Hunt

Foreword by Governor Jim Hunt

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. Leadership in Context
  • 2. Leadership and Courage
  • Accountability
  • Leadership
  • Organizing Your Leadership
  • Communicating With Your Public
  • Business Partnerships That Make a Difference
  • 3. Leadership and Brains
  • Goal Setting and Planning
  • Making Use of Retreats
  • Training Leaders
  • Measuring Success
  • Dollars and Sense
  • 4. Leadership and Heart
  • Students Matter Most
  • Teachers Matter Most
  • Parents Matter Most
  • Involving the Entire Village
  • 5. Bringing It All Home
  • Making a Home of the School
  • Conclusion

Afterword

Afterword

Appendices

  • A. Selected Readings Organized by Chapter
  • B. Criteria for a Superintendent's Evaluation
  • C. Recommendation for National Superintendent of the Year
  • D. National Recognitions for WCPSS and Wake County

Index

Index

Additional materials

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A School District’s Journey to Excellence

Lessons From Business and Education


July 2008 | 208 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 27/02/2023 9781412941587 $40.95
Lifetime 27/02/2023 9781452293400 $37.00

"A remarkable tool for educators and communities. We are fortunate that a very effective former superintendent and successful business person are willing to share their quest for ensuring that all students are well prepared for their futures."
—June St. Clair Atkinson, State Superintendent
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

"Blends business principles with excellent leadership in one of America's largest school districts to create a model for achieving excellence in school districts everywhere. This is a well-written, practical illustration of how a leader makes things happen."
—Larry Price, Superintendent
Wilson County Schools, NC

Learn how school districts can go from average to outstanding!

The challenge of preparing children and youth for success in the 21st century requires improvement in the business of education. This unique resource provides an inside account of how Wake County Public Schools, one of the nation's largest school districts, made significant gains in student achievement and school performance over a ten-year period to become a shining example of success.

Award-winning superintendent Bill McNeal and successful businessman/school board member Tom Oxholm show readers how they established a partnership to help students meet grade-level expectations and support schools in closing achievement gaps. Through the authors' experience and tips, readers will discover how to facilitate:

  • Improved educational outcomes, especially among minority populations
  • Progressive instructional leadership
  • Fiscal responsibility and efficient allocation of resources
  • Stronger school-community relationships

Rich in examples, case studies, and data, A School District's Journey to Excellence is a much-needed map to excellence in public education.


Table Of Contents:

  • Foreword by Governor Jim Hunt
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • 1. Leadership in Context
  • 2. Leadership and Courage
  • Accountability
  • Leadership
  • Organizing Your Leadership
  • Communicating With Your Public
  • Business Partnerships That Make a Difference
  • 3. Leadership and Brains
  • Goal Setting and Planning
  • Making Use of Retreats
  • Training Leaders
  • Measuring Success
  • Dollars and Sense
  • 4. Leadership and Heart
  • Students Matter Most
  • Teachers Matter Most
  • Parents Matter Most
  • Involving the Entire Village
  • 5. Bringing It All Home
  • Making a Home of the School
  • Conclusion
  • Afterword
  • Appendices
  • A. Selected Readings Organized by Chapter
  • B. Criteria for a Superintendent's Evaluation
  • C. Recommendation for National Superintendent of the Year
  • D. National Recognitions for WCPSS and Wake County
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"McNeal’s experiences as a teacher, principal, and superintendent coupled with Oxholm’s perspectives as a businessman and school board member make this case study a must-read work."
Edwin Dunlap, Jr., Executive Director, North Carolina School Boards Association
“Bill McNeal and Tom Oxholm share their story of success in an urban school environment. It’s all here—courage, hard work, communication, patience, and persistence. The Wake County story commands the attention of all who truly value the public school as the essential bedrock of our democracy.”
William C. Friday, President Emeritus, University of North Carolina
"This book will broaden your view of school systems and show you how a bureaucratic organization can be operated in a flexible, sensitive, effective, and efficient manner. Regardless of your role, you will benefit from the insights of a great board of education member and a great superintendent."
Ann Denlinger, President, Wake Education Partnership
"A remarkable tool for educators and communities. We are fortunate that a very effective former superintendent and successful business person are willing to share their quest for ensuring that all students are well prepared for their futures.”
June St. Clair Atkinson, State Superintendent, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
"McNeal and Oxholm offer a glimpse into the alignment required between district and community interests for public schools to regain the trust of the public and to emphasize academic gains as a unifying force for the future."
Tony Habit, President, NC New Schools Project

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