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Leading Learning
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Leading Learning
Change Student Achievement Today!

Edited by:


October 2009 | 152 pages | Corwin

"Taylor shows how school leadership actions can turn almost any educational challenge into a positive. Her use of current school administrators as examples, the explanatory charts, and the guiding professional analysis make this book a necessary companion to implementing sustained school reform."
—Mary Ann Haas, Retired Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Flagler School District, FL

Practical strategies and real-world examples for improving learning for all students!

There is no single solution to improving learning and closing the gap for disadvantaged children. Rather, improvement is the result of a number of successful practices used together. This valuable resource shows school and district leaders how specific, consistent actions can result in dramatic change and increased student achievement.

From stimulating intellectual growth to making decisions based on data, this book provides leader actions and examples of schools where the gap in learning is closing through exceptional leadership, and includes:

  • Numerous examples from real schools, offering descriptions and analysis of actions that increase achievement
  • Interviews with successful school leaders that provide a realistic look at the issues involved
  • A focus on second-order changes, where small improvements can create dramatic rethinking of the organization, the roles of individuals, and the approach to learning
  • Ample forms, sample notes, templates, and other materials to get you started

Based on theory, but grounded in practice, this book shows leaders the specific actions they need to take to drive high levels of student achievement in their schools!


 
List of Tables
 
List of Resources
 
Preface
Who Will Benefit From This Book?

 
How Is the Book Organized?

 
What Are the Special Features?

 
Reflection

 
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
1. Introduction and Background
How Did the Research Begin?

 
Why Interview Research?

 
Who Participated in the Interviews?

 
What Actions Do These Leaders Take?

 
Reflection

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
2. Focus the Culture on Learning: Make Decisions for Student Learning
Leader in Action: Paula St. Francis, Rimfire Elementary School

 
Leader in Action: Les Potter, Silver Sands Middle School

 
Leader in Action: Carol Moore, Osceola High School

 
Leader in Action: Cynthia Dodge, Lake Silver Elementary and Special School

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends in Focusing Culture on Learning and Making Decisions for Learning

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
3. Stimulate Intellectual Growth
Leader in Action: Linda Roman, Fort Wayne Community Schools

 
Leader in Action: Dale Moxley, Round Lake Charter Elementary School

 
Leader in Action: Harold Border, Hunter’s Creek Middle School

 
Leader in Action: Jane Phelps, Middle School Social Studies

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends in Stimulating Intellectual Growth

 
Helpful Terms

 
Resources for Leaders

 
 
4. Invest Personally in the Change
Leader in Action: Paul Sansom, Adairville K-8 School

 
Leader in Action: Donald Fennoy, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology

 
Leader in Action: Bill Vogel, Seminole County Schools

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends in Making a Personal Investment

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
5. Collaborate to Optimize Success
Leaders in Action:Principals, Citrus County Middle School

 
Leader in Action: Todd Trimble, Legacy Middle School

 
Leader in Action: Mike Armbruster, Ocoee High School

 
Leaders in Action: UCF-Progress Energy Leadership Institute

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends in Collaboration

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
6. Strategize for Consistency
Leader in Action: Nancy Simon, Central Ridge Elementary School

 
Leader in Action: Jaime Quinones, Shafter High School

 
Leader in Action: Tom Curry, Citrus County Schools

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends of Leaders Who Strategize for Consistency

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
7. Let the Data Speak: Then Take Action
Leader in Action: Barrett Nelson, Lewisburg K-8 School

 
Leader in Action: Connie Collins, Crooms Academy of Information Technology

 
Leader in Action: Van Mitchell, Colonial High School

 
Leader in Action: Anna Marie Cote, Seminole County Schools

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends in Data-Based Decision Making

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
8. Engage Families in Learning
Leader in Action: Gonzalo La Cava, Oakshire Elementary School

 
Leader in Action: Nancy Velez, Leesburg High School

 
Leader in Action: Grant Rivera, South Cobb High School

 
Leader in Action: Peter Gorman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends to Engage Families in Learning

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
9. Influence Through the Political Environment
Principals and the District Political Environment

 
District Leaders

 
Leader in Action: Carol Kelley, New Smyrna Beach High School

 
Leader in Action: Beverly Perrault, Wicklow Elementary School

 
Leader in Action: Pam Tapley, St. Cloud High School

 
Leader in Action: Barbara Jenkins, Orange County Public Schools

 
Reflection

 
Practical Tips

 
Trends in Leveraging the Political Environment

 
Helpful Terms

 
 
10. Reflections on Leading Learning for Second Order Change
Curriculum

 
Instruction

 
Assessment

 
Concluding Thoughts

 
 
Resource A: Principal Interview Protocol
 
Resource B: District Leader Interview Protocol
 
Resource C: Guidelines for Collaborative Sessions, Rimfire Elementary School
 
Resource D: Team Meeting Notes, Hunter’s Creek Middle School
 
Resource E: Leadership Team, Crystal River High School 2007-2008
 
Resource F: Walkthrough Comment Card, Citrus County Schools
 
Resource G: Ridgeback Reflections, Central Ridge Elementary School
 
Resource H: Excerpts From Attendance Policy, Leesburg High School
 
References
 
Index

"Taylor shows how school leadership actions can turn almost any educational challenge into a positive. Her use of current school administrators as examples, the explanatory charts, and the guiding professional analysis make this book a necessary companion to implementing sustained school reform."

Mary Ann Haas, Retired Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Flagler School District, FL

"Taylor provides practical strategies that are easily implemented, anchored in research, and applicable to all schools regardless of their demographics. These strategies increase professionalism, collectivity, and student achievement."

Jane Hurt, Associate Superintendent
Logan County Schools, Russellville, KY

"This book helps every practitioner be more focused on specific strategies to improve student learning using data. The author has found leaders around the country whose passion has informed their every action to make all learners successful."

Roberta Glaser, Retired Assistant Superintendent
St. Johns Public Schools, MI

“This book is helpful because it showcases exemplary schools. The author has synthesized the work of many of the best minds in education into a very helpful checklist for all school leaders. Excellent!”

Carol Amos, Teacher Leader/Mathematics Coordinator
Twinfield Union School, Plainfield, VT
Key features
  • Numerous examples and vignettes from real schools that have successfully raised the bar of student achievement
  • Interviews with school leaders from the selected schools offer a realistic look at the issues and questions involved
  • Tables and figures throughout the book summarize theoretical and research findings as they apply to the book's themes
  • An appendix of forms, sample notes, and other templates provide readers with ample materials to get started

For instructors

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