From Good Schools to Great Schools

What Their Principals Do Well
Susan P. Gray - San Diego State University, USA
William A. Streshly - San Diego State University, USA
From Good Schools to Great Schools
February 2008 | 184 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452280721
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Description

"These successful principals move beyond platitudes and optimistic denial and learn to face the facts of what is necessary to improve schools—then they do it. These star principals learn to work with teachers and their union rather than around them."
—Charles Taylor Kerchner, Hollis P. Allen Professor
Claremont Graduate University

"Links Collins's work to success in the school setting. The examples of school leaders who were able to lead effective, systemic change are powerful."
—Brenda Dean, Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Hamblen County Department of Education, TN

Make the leap from ordinary to stellar school leadership!

"What can I do to make a difference and lift my school to excellence?" From Good Schools to Great Schools answers this question for principals and considers other critical issues in a detailed examination of school leadership.

Based on the concepts from the national bestseller Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't, this guidebook identifies nine characteristics of high-performing "Level 5" school leaders through:

  • In-depth discussions and detailed case studies of six "star" school principals
  • A comparison of principals and corporate leaders, including qualities exclusive to school leadership
  • Reflection questions for more effective application of leadership principles
  • Templates, implementation tips, and additional resources

Correlated with ISLLC standards, this comprehensive resource is a valuable resource for aspiring and practicing school administrators, site leaders, and supervisors.

Contents

List of Figures and Tables

List of Figures and Tables

Foreword by Marge Hobbs

Foreword by Marge Hobbs

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. We Know What to Do, so Why Do We Fail?
  • The "Good to Great" Research Project
  • Leadership Characteristics of Level 5 Executives
  • Leadership Behaviors of Level 5 Executives
  • Two Behaviors From the Collins Study
  • Great School Executives Build Relationships
  • The School Principals in Our Study
  • Leadership Qualities Exhibited
  • Reflection
  • 2. First, Build Relationships
  • A Behavior Different From the Behaviors of the Level 5 Executive
  • Mr. Bond and Field Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Building Relationships
  • Comparison Principals and Building Relationships
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 3. Exercise Your Professional Will, but Stay Humble
  • Issues With Identifying Personal Humility in School Principals
  • Personal Humility: The Evidence Differs
  • Shy and Self-Effacing Leaders
  • Unreserved and Enthusiastic Leaders
  • Comparison Principals
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 4. Credit Others, Accept the Blame
  • Additional Data for Compelling Modesty
  • Evidence for Sustainability of Greatness
  • Evidence for Compelling Modesty
  • Mr. Unpretentious and Bay View Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Compelling Modesty
  • Comparison Principals and Compelling Modesty
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 5. Be Ambitious First for the School's Success
  • Ambition for the Success of the School Is Key
  • Ms. Aspiration and Mission Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
  • Comparison Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 6. Resolve to Do What Needs Doing . . . Then Do It!
  • Application of Unwavering Resolve to Schools
  • Ms. Persevere and Mountain High Elementary School
  • Comparison Principals and Resolve
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 7. Get the Right People on the Bus
  • School Leaders' Difficulties in Getting the Right People
  • An Example of Getting the Right People
  • Highly Successful Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
  • Comparison Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 8. Confront the Brutal Facts
  • Schools Face Challenges
  • Brutal Facts Tackled by the Principals in Our Study
  • Highly Successful Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
  • Comparison Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 9. Know What Drives Your Educational Engine and Be Passionate About It
  • Academics Take Issue
  • Our Term: Educational Engine
  • Mr. Focus and Pines Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
  • Comparison Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 10. Build a Culture of Discipline
  • The Concept Is Not New
  • Difficulties in Achieving a Culture of Discipline
  • Ms. Discipline and Eagle Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and a Culture of Discipline
  • Comparison Principals and a Culture of Discipline
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 11. Know Commonalities and Differences Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
  • Disparities Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
  • What We Have Learned From the Research on Leadership
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 12. Support Research-Based Principal Preparation
  • The ISLLC Standards
  • The Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
  • In Search of Excellence
  • Beware of Business Norms
  • Administrator Preparation Program Reform
  • A Final Comment
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Architects of Principal Preparation Programs

Resource A: Research Methodology

Resource A: Research Methodology

Resource B: Interview Participant Selection

Resource B: Interview Participant Selection

Resource C: Principal Interview Questions Derived From Collins' (2001) CEO Interview Questions and Demographic Questionnaire

Resource C: Principal Interview Questions Derived From Collins' (2001) CEO Interview Questions and Demographic Questionnaire

References

References

Suggested Readings

Suggested Readings

Index

Index

Description

"These successful principals move beyond platitudes and optimistic denial and learn to face the facts of what is necessary to improve schools—then they do it. These star principals learn to work with teachers and their union rather than around them."
—Charles Taylor Kerchner, Hollis P. Allen Professor
Claremont Graduate University

"Links Collins's work to success in the school setting. The examples of school leaders who were able to lead effective, systemic change are powerful."
—Brenda Dean, Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Hamblen County Department of Education, TN

Make the leap from ordinary to stellar school leadership!

"What can I do to make a difference and lift my school to excellence?" From Good Schools to Great Schools answers this question for principals and considers other critical issues in a detailed examination of school leadership.

Based on the concepts from the national bestseller Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't, this guidebook identifies nine characteristics of high-performing "Level 5" school leaders through:

  • In-depth discussions and detailed case studies of six "star" school principals
  • A comparison of principals and corporate leaders, including qualities exclusive to school leadership
  • Reflection questions for more effective application of leadership principles
  • Templates, implementation tips, and additional resources

Correlated with ISLLC standards, this comprehensive resource is a valuable resource for aspiring and practicing school administrators, site leaders, and supervisors.

Contents

List of Figures and Tables

List of Figures and Tables

Foreword by Marge Hobbs

Foreword by Marge Hobbs

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

  • 1. We Know What to Do, so Why Do We Fail?
  • The "Good to Great" Research Project
  • Leadership Characteristics of Level 5 Executives
  • Leadership Behaviors of Level 5 Executives
  • Two Behaviors From the Collins Study
  • Great School Executives Build Relationships
  • The School Principals in Our Study
  • Leadership Qualities Exhibited
  • Reflection
  • 2. First, Build Relationships
  • A Behavior Different From the Behaviors of the Level 5 Executive
  • Mr. Bond and Field Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Building Relationships
  • Comparison Principals and Building Relationships
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 3. Exercise Your Professional Will, but Stay Humble
  • Issues With Identifying Personal Humility in School Principals
  • Personal Humility: The Evidence Differs
  • Shy and Self-Effacing Leaders
  • Unreserved and Enthusiastic Leaders
  • Comparison Principals
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 4. Credit Others, Accept the Blame
  • Additional Data for Compelling Modesty
  • Evidence for Sustainability of Greatness
  • Evidence for Compelling Modesty
  • Mr. Unpretentious and Bay View Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Compelling Modesty
  • Comparison Principals and Compelling Modesty
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 5. Be Ambitious First for the School's Success
  • Ambition for the Success of the School Is Key
  • Ms. Aspiration and Mission Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
  • Comparison Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 6. Resolve to Do What Needs Doing . . . Then Do It!
  • Application of Unwavering Resolve to Schools
  • Ms. Persevere and Mountain High Elementary School
  • Comparison Principals and Resolve
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 7. Get the Right People on the Bus
  • School Leaders' Difficulties in Getting the Right People
  • An Example of Getting the Right People
  • Highly Successful Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
  • Comparison Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 8. Confront the Brutal Facts
  • Schools Face Challenges
  • Brutal Facts Tackled by the Principals in Our Study
  • Highly Successful Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
  • Comparison Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 9. Know What Drives Your Educational Engine and Be Passionate About It
  • Academics Take Issue
  • Our Term: Educational Engine
  • Mr. Focus and Pines Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
  • Comparison Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 10. Build a Culture of Discipline
  • The Concept Is Not New
  • Difficulties in Achieving a Culture of Discipline
  • Ms. Discipline and Eagle Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and a Culture of Discipline
  • Comparison Principals and a Culture of Discipline
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 11. Know Commonalities and Differences Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
  • Disparities Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
  • What We Have Learned From the Research on Leadership
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 12. Support Research-Based Principal Preparation
  • The ISLLC Standards
  • The Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
  • In Search of Excellence
  • Beware of Business Norms
  • Administrator Preparation Program Reform
  • A Final Comment
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Architects of Principal Preparation Programs

Resource A: Research Methodology

Resource A: Research Methodology

Resource B: Interview Participant Selection

Resource B: Interview Participant Selection

Resource C: Principal Interview Questions Derived From Collins' (2001) CEO Interview Questions and Demographic Questionnaire

Resource C: Principal Interview Questions Derived From Collins' (2001) CEO Interview Questions and Demographic Questionnaire

References

References

Suggested Readings

Suggested Readings

Index

Index

SAGE Publishing Logo

From Good Schools to Great Schools

What Their Principals Do Well


February 2008 | 184 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 27/02/2023 9781412948999 $39.95
Lifetime 27/02/2023 9781452280721 $36.00

"These successful principals move beyond platitudes and optimistic denial and learn to face the facts of what is necessary to improve schools—then they do it. These star principals learn to work with teachers and their union rather than around them."
—Charles Taylor Kerchner, Hollis P. Allen Professor
Claremont Graduate University

"Links Collins's work to success in the school setting. The examples of school leaders who were able to lead effective, systemic change are powerful."
—Brenda Dean, Assistant Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Hamblen County Department of Education, TN

Make the leap from ordinary to stellar school leadership!

"What can I do to make a difference and lift my school to excellence?" From Good Schools to Great Schools answers this question for principals and considers other critical issues in a detailed examination of school leadership.

Based on the concepts from the national bestseller Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't, this guidebook identifies nine characteristics of high-performing "Level 5" school leaders through:

  • In-depth discussions and detailed case studies of six "star" school principals
  • A comparison of principals and corporate leaders, including qualities exclusive to school leadership
  • Reflection questions for more effective application of leadership principles
  • Templates, implementation tips, and additional resources

Correlated with ISLLC standards, this comprehensive resource is a valuable resource for aspiring and practicing school administrators, site leaders, and supervisors.


Table Of Contents:

  • List of Figures and Tables
  • Foreword by Marge Hobbs
  • Preface
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Authors
  • 1. We Know What to Do, so Why Do We Fail?
  • The "Good to Great" Research Project
  • Leadership Characteristics of Level 5 Executives
  • Leadership Behaviors of Level 5 Executives
  • Two Behaviors From the Collins Study
  • Great School Executives Build Relationships
  • The School Principals in Our Study
  • Leadership Qualities Exhibited
  • Reflection
  • 2. First, Build Relationships
  • A Behavior Different From the Behaviors of the Level 5 Executive
  • Mr. Bond and Field Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Building Relationships
  • Comparison Principals and Building Relationships
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 3. Exercise Your Professional Will, but Stay Humble
  • Issues With Identifying Personal Humility in School Principals
  • Personal Humility: The Evidence Differs
  • Shy and Self-Effacing Leaders
  • Unreserved and Enthusiastic Leaders
  • Comparison Principals
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 4. Credit Others, Accept the Blame
  • Additional Data for Compelling Modesty
  • Evidence for Sustainability of Greatness
  • Evidence for Compelling Modesty
  • Mr. Unpretentious and Bay View Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Compelling Modesty
  • Comparison Principals and Compelling Modesty
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 5. Be Ambitious First for the School's Success
  • Ambition for the Success of the School Is Key
  • Ms. Aspiration and Mission Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
  • Comparison Principals and Ambition for the School's Success
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 6. Resolve to Do What Needs Doing . . . Then Do It!
  • Application of Unwavering Resolve to Schools
  • Ms. Persevere and Mountain High Elementary School
  • Comparison Principals and Resolve
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 7. Get the Right People on the Bus
  • School Leaders' Difficulties in Getting the Right People
  • An Example of Getting the Right People
  • Highly Successful Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
  • Comparison Principals and "First Who . . . Then What"
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 8. Confront the Brutal Facts
  • Schools Face Challenges
  • Brutal Facts Tackled by the Principals in Our Study
  • Highly Successful Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
  • Comparison Principals and Confronting the Brutal Facts
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 9. Know What Drives Your Educational Engine and Be Passionate About It
  • Academics Take Issue
  • Our Term: Educational Engine
  • Mr. Focus and Pines Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
  • Comparison Principals and the Hedgehog Concept
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 10. Build a Culture of Discipline
  • The Concept Is Not New
  • Difficulties in Achieving a Culture of Discipline
  • Ms. Discipline and Eagle Elementary School
  • Highly Successful Principals and a Culture of Discipline
  • Comparison Principals and a Culture of Discipline
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 11. Know Commonalities and Differences Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
  • Disparities Between Public Schools and the Private Sector
  • What We Have Learned From the Research on Leadership
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Principals
  • 12. Support Research-Based Principal Preparation
  • The ISLLC Standards
  • The Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning
  • In Search of Excellence
  • Beware of Business Norms
  • Administrator Preparation Program Reform
  • A Final Comment
  • Reflection
  • Suggestions for Architects of Principal Preparation Programs
  • Resource A: Research Methodology
  • Resource B: Interview Participant Selection
  • Resource C: Principal Interview Questions Derived From Collins' (2001) CEO Interview Questions and Demographic Questionnaire
  • References
  • Suggested Readings
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

"From qualities shared by superior schools and leaders to applying leadership principles and school-tested routines, this book is packed with insights."
The Bookwatch, April 2008, Midwest Book Review
"The authors present evidence that supports a new paradigm for apprenticing school administrators-one that differs from the traditional model of un-researched best practices and standards. School leaders can use this book to inspire activities that will transform their schools and reframe their professional behaviors."
Sirreadalot.org, March 2008
"These successful principals move beyond platitudes and optimistic denial and learn to face the facts of what is necessary to improve schools—then they do it. Among other things, these star principals learn to work with their teachers and their union rather than around them."
Charles Taylor Kerchner, Hollis P. Allen Professor, Claremont Graduate University
"A useful resource for programs dedicated to training new administrators as well as for principals who want to improve the collaborative cultures of their schools. It will drive the thinking of principals and teachers who are committed to school improvement."
John Pieper, Fifth-Grade Teacher, Webster Stanley Elementary School, Oshkosh, WI
"Lots of food for thought. The ideas and strategies will nudge people in the right direction and help administrators be brave enough to either bring about change or resist change. This would be a good book for a principal study group."
Mary Johnstone, Principal, Rabbit Creek Elementary School, Anchorage, AK

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