Asking the Right Questions

Tools for Collaboration and School Change
Third Edition
Asking the Right Questions
July 2008 | 232 pages | Corwin
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Description

"This book has something for everyone—the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!"
—Mary Devin, Associate Professor
Kansas State University

"Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on."
—Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director
Connecticut Association of Schools

Use these practical tips and real-world examples to facilitate meaningful school change!

This updated edition of the bestseller on school reform focuses on collaboration at three crucial levels: district, school, and classroom. Recognizing the power of multilevel support, reform expert Edie L. Holcomb provides a structure that helps teams of educators assess a situation, gather information, plan and implement change initiatives, evaluate progress, and sustain change.

In easy-to-understand language, Asking the Right Questions, Third Edition, effectively highlights the issues that need to be addressed when implementing school improvement initiatives. Building on her highly successful framework, the author presents a new discussion on shaping practice, creating effective decision-making structures, and reviewing improvement plans. The new edition also includes

  • Innovative strategies such as symbolic displays, configuration maps, priority grids, and open space technology
  • Additional examples of change scenarios from the field
  • Review questions and chapter summaries that highlight key points
  • A CD-ROM with figures, customizable forms, and a chapter-by-chapter discussion guide to facilitate individual and group study

From simple policy changes to broad reform, this invaluable guide helps teachers, principals, and administrators work together to visualize and enact changes that improve student achievement.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

List of CD-ROM Contents

List of CD-ROM Contents

Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord

Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord

Preface to the Third Edition

Preface to the Third Edition

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. Asking the Right Questions
  • Refinement of the Five Critical Questions
  • The Five Questions as a Road Map
  • The Wrong Questions
  • Professional Learning Communities
  • The Five Questions and Three Models of Change
  • Tools for Inquiry and Collaboration
  • Using This Book
  • Answer Key
  • 2. Answering the "Where Are We Now?" Question
  • Student Performance
  • Shareholder Perceptions
  • Organizational Culture and Context
  • Answer Key
  • 3. Answering the "Where Do We Want to Go?" Question
  • Affirming the Mission
  • Identifying and Prioritizing Concerns
  • Articulating Goals
  • Visualizing the Culture of Collaboration
  • Answer Key
  • 4. Answering the "How Will We Get There?" Question
  • Dig Into the Data
  • Study Relevant Research
  • Explore Best Practices
  • Consider Local Factors
  • Analyze Current Practice
  • Partner With Your District
  • Select Strategies
  • Double-Check: Goal or Strategy?
  • Plan the Journey
  • Is Our Plan Powerful?
  • Answer Key
  • 5. Answering the "How Will We Know We Are (Getting) There?" Question
  • Are We Working Our Plan? Evidence of Implementation
  • Is Our Plan Working? Evidence of Impact
  • The Plan and the Proof
  • Answer Key
  • 6. Answering the "How Will We Sustain the Focus and Momentum?" Question
  • Understand and Respond to Reactions
  • Continue Training and Coaching
  • Cope With Conflict
  • Strengthen the Culture of Inquiry
  • Support Leaders and Followers
  • Shift From Technical to Adaptive
  • Reaffirm Organizational Values and Commitments
  • Maintain Organizational Health
  • Answer Key
  • 7. Powerful Questions That Shape Practice
  • Entry Questions
  • Data-Boosting Questions
  • Walking-Around Questions
  • Instructional Questions
  • Student-Work Analysis Questions
  • Letting-Go Questions
  • Hiring Questions
  • Time Management Questions
  • Involvement Questions
  • The Commitment Question
  • Answer Key

References and Further Reading

References and Further Reading

Index

Index

Description

"This book has something for everyone—the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!"
—Mary Devin, Associate Professor
Kansas State University

"Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on."
—Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director
Connecticut Association of Schools

Use these practical tips and real-world examples to facilitate meaningful school change!

This updated edition of the bestseller on school reform focuses on collaboration at three crucial levels: district, school, and classroom. Recognizing the power of multilevel support, reform expert Edie L. Holcomb provides a structure that helps teams of educators assess a situation, gather information, plan and implement change initiatives, evaluate progress, and sustain change.

In easy-to-understand language, Asking the Right Questions, Third Edition, effectively highlights the issues that need to be addressed when implementing school improvement initiatives. Building on her highly successful framework, the author presents a new discussion on shaping practice, creating effective decision-making structures, and reviewing improvement plans. The new edition also includes

  • Innovative strategies such as symbolic displays, configuration maps, priority grids, and open space technology
  • Additional examples of change scenarios from the field
  • Review questions and chapter summaries that highlight key points
  • A CD-ROM with figures, customizable forms, and a chapter-by-chapter discussion guide to facilitate individual and group study

From simple policy changes to broad reform, this invaluable guide helps teachers, principals, and administrators work together to visualize and enact changes that improve student achievement.

Contents

List of Figures

List of Figures

List of CD-ROM Contents

List of CD-ROM Contents

Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord

Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord

Preface to the Third Edition

Preface to the Third Edition

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Author

  • 1. Asking the Right Questions
  • Refinement of the Five Critical Questions
  • The Five Questions as a Road Map
  • The Wrong Questions
  • Professional Learning Communities
  • The Five Questions and Three Models of Change
  • Tools for Inquiry and Collaboration
  • Using This Book
  • Answer Key
  • 2. Answering the "Where Are We Now?" Question
  • Student Performance
  • Shareholder Perceptions
  • Organizational Culture and Context
  • Answer Key
  • 3. Answering the "Where Do We Want to Go?" Question
  • Affirming the Mission
  • Identifying and Prioritizing Concerns
  • Articulating Goals
  • Visualizing the Culture of Collaboration
  • Answer Key
  • 4. Answering the "How Will We Get There?" Question
  • Dig Into the Data
  • Study Relevant Research
  • Explore Best Practices
  • Consider Local Factors
  • Analyze Current Practice
  • Partner With Your District
  • Select Strategies
  • Double-Check: Goal or Strategy?
  • Plan the Journey
  • Is Our Plan Powerful?
  • Answer Key
  • 5. Answering the "How Will We Know We Are (Getting) There?" Question
  • Are We Working Our Plan? Evidence of Implementation
  • Is Our Plan Working? Evidence of Impact
  • The Plan and the Proof
  • Answer Key
  • 6. Answering the "How Will We Sustain the Focus and Momentum?" Question
  • Understand and Respond to Reactions
  • Continue Training and Coaching
  • Cope With Conflict
  • Strengthen the Culture of Inquiry
  • Support Leaders and Followers
  • Shift From Technical to Adaptive
  • Reaffirm Organizational Values and Commitments
  • Maintain Organizational Health
  • Answer Key
  • 7. Powerful Questions That Shape Practice
  • Entry Questions
  • Data-Boosting Questions
  • Walking-Around Questions
  • Instructional Questions
  • Student-Work Analysis Questions
  • Letting-Go Questions
  • Hiring Questions
  • Time Management Questions
  • Involvement Questions
  • The Commitment Question
  • Answer Key

References and Further Reading

References and Further Reading

Index

Index

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Asking the Right Questions

Tools for Collaboration and School Change


July 2008 | 232 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price

"This book has something for everyone—the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!"
—Mary Devin, Associate Professor
Kansas State University

"Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on."
—Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director
Connecticut Association of Schools

Use these practical tips and real-world examples to facilitate meaningful school change!

This updated edition of the bestseller on school reform focuses on collaboration at three crucial levels: district, school, and classroom. Recognizing the power of multilevel support, reform expert Edie L. Holcomb provides a structure that helps teams of educators assess a situation, gather information, plan and implement change initiatives, evaluate progress, and sustain change.

In easy-to-understand language, Asking the Right Questions, Third Edition, effectively highlights the issues that need to be addressed when implementing school improvement initiatives. Building on her highly successful framework, the author presents a new discussion on shaping practice, creating effective decision-making structures, and reviewing improvement plans. The new edition also includes

  • Innovative strategies such as symbolic displays, configuration maps, priority grids, and open space technology
  • Additional examples of change scenarios from the field
  • Review questions and chapter summaries that highlight key points
  • A CD-ROM with figures, customizable forms, and a chapter-by-chapter discussion guide to facilitate individual and group study

From simple policy changes to broad reform, this invaluable guide helps teachers, principals, and administrators work together to visualize and enact changes that improve student achievement.


Table Of Contents:

  • List of Figures
  • List of CD-ROM Contents
  • Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord
  • Preface to the Third Edition
  • Acknowledgments
  • About the Author
  • 1. Asking the Right Questions
  • Refinement of the Five Critical Questions
  • The Five Questions as a Road Map
  • The Wrong Questions
  • Professional Learning Communities
  • The Five Questions and Three Models of Change
  • Tools for Inquiry and Collaboration
  • Using This Book
  • Answer Key
  • 2. Answering the "Where Are We Now?" Question
  • Student Performance
  • Shareholder Perceptions
  • Organizational Culture and Context
  • Answer Key
  • 3. Answering the "Where Do We Want to Go?" Question
  • Affirming the Mission
  • Identifying and Prioritizing Concerns
  • Articulating Goals
  • Visualizing the Culture of Collaboration
  • Answer Key
  • 4. Answering the "How Will We Get There?" Question
  • Dig Into the Data
  • Study Relevant Research
  • Explore Best Practices
  • Consider Local Factors
  • Analyze Current Practice
  • Partner With Your District
  • Select Strategies
  • Double-Check: Goal or Strategy?
  • Plan the Journey
  • Is Our Plan Powerful?
  • Answer Key
  • 5. Answering the "How Will We Know We Are (Getting) There?" Question
  • Are We Working Our Plan? Evidence of Implementation
  • Is Our Plan Working? Evidence of Impact
  • The Plan and the Proof
  • Answer Key
  • 6. Answering the "How Will We Sustain the Focus and Momentum?" Question
  • Understand and Respond to Reactions
  • Continue Training and Coaching
  • Cope With Conflict
  • Strengthen the Culture of Inquiry
  • Support Leaders and Followers
  • Shift From Technical to Adaptive
  • Reaffirm Organizational Values and Commitments
  • Maintain Organizational Health
  • Answer Key
  • 7. Powerful Questions That Shape Practice
  • Entry Questions
  • Data-Boosting Questions
  • Walking-Around Questions
  • Instructional Questions
  • Student-Work Analysis Questions
  • Letting-Go Questions
  • Hiring Questions
  • Time Management Questions
  • Involvement Questions
  • The Commitment Question
  • Answer Key
  • References and Further Reading
  • Index

Recent Product Reviews:

This seemed to be a text that would be most helpful.I used this text and the students really liked it.
Dr Michele Kelk, School Of Education, Webster University
“The book is supported with concrete examples from real-life experience and is presented with an eye to real problems. It allows the reader to find tools that are appropriate for the local situation and to feel empowered to use the tools in flexible ways.”
Steven R. Thompson, Coordinator, School Leadership Program, Miami University, OH
"A great book with practical advice. It provides all the tools for facilitating change dialogues with clear explanations of what is desired for answering the essential questions."
Linda Vogel, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, University of Northern Colorado
“An effective synthesis of information for implementing, monitoring, and sustaining change in a collaborative way.”
Bess Scott, Principal, McPhee Elementary School, Lincoln, NE
"Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on."
Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director, Connecticut Association of Schools

Recommendations