The Instructional Leadership Toolbox; A Handbook for Improving Practice

by Sandra Lee Gupton

• ISBN13: 9781412975407
• ISBN10: 1412975409
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-11-18
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

Today's schools require leaders who focus school efforts and resources on what is happening in the classroom: teaching and learning. Sandra Lee Gupton examines the instructional leadership role of the principal, providing school leaders with practical ways to reflect on and improve their own instructional goals.Using a unique toolbox metaphor, this resource offers a variety of helpful "tools"-skills, strategies, and information-drawn from current research and theory in school administration. While acknowledging the complicated and abstract nature of the qualities of good leadership, this second edition of  The Instructional Leadership Toolbox offers: Reader-friendly text, using "tools" as metaphors to represent key instructional leadership skills Chapter-opening lists that provide a quick reference to what follows "Pointers for the Principal" bulleted at the end of each chapter Question sets for reflective practice Suggested resources listed at the end of each chapter for further readingNew to the second edition: Presents updated standards, research, and legislation from the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Provides new research throughout the text that specifically ties principals' actions to student achievement Underscores the evolution of the role of principal from an instructional leader to a leader of a community of learners Offers quotes and examples of instructional leadership strategies by practicing principals and veteran educators, notably in the 'œWalking the Talk' sections at the end of chapters Includes additional resources such as selected websites, workbooks, books, and articles

Table of Contents

Preface	p. vii
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
About the Author	p. xv
A School Leader's Compass: In Whose Interest?	p. 1
Introspection: Clarifying Core Beliefs and Values	p. 2
Personal Skills Assessment	p. 6
Professional Skills Assessment	p. 6
Sampling of Published Assessment Instruments	p. 9
Pointers for the Principal	p. 10
The Nuts and Bolts of School Leadership	p. 13
Leadership for Today's Schools: What the Literature Says	p. 15
Accountability and the Principalship: Making the Grade	p. 20
Standards for Today's School Leaders: Measuring Up!	p. 23
Denning Instructional Leadership	p. 25
Pointers for the Principal	p. 28
Blueprints for Success	p. 29
Mission	p. 30
Vision	p. 32
Goals and Objectives	p. 39
Strategies	p. 41
Pointers for the Principal	p. 43
A School's Organizational Superglue	p. 45
Assessing School Climate and Culture	p. 49
Leadership Essential to Positive School Cultures	p. 52
From Classrooms and Cubbyholes to School Community	p. 53
Pointers for the Principal	p. 56
Organizational Conduits: Communication Strategies for Effective Instructional Leadership	p. 57
Seeking First to Understand	p. 59
Facilitating Collaboration Within the School	p. 63
Connecting With Parents and the Community as Partners	p. 71
Pointers for the Principal	p. 77
A Learning Organization's Whetstones: Best Leadership Practices for Facilitating Professional Growth and Development	p. 79
Reflective Practice	p. 82
Supportive Supervision	p. 87
Cooperative Evaluation	p. 93
Collaborative Professional Development	p. 97
Pointers for the Principal	p. 100
The Lens of Instructional Leadership	p. 103
Focusing on Learners and Learning	p. 105
Creating a Climate for Learning	p. 108
Communicating High Expectations for Learning	p. 111
Looking for Indicators of Effective Teaching and Learning	p. 116
Pointers for the Principal	p. 121
Tape Measures, Plumb Lines, and Common Sense: What Counts in Accountability	p. 123
Assuming the Accountability Reins	p. 126
Making Good Sense and Best Use of Standards	p. 133
Focusing on Classrooms for Accountability and Students' Achievement	p. 139
Pointers for the Principal	p. 144
The Instructional Leader's Power Tools: Cutting-Edge Leadership Strategies	p. 147
The Leader as Architect of Change	p. 148
Putting Data to Work	p. 153
Tapping Into the Power of Technology	p. 164
Pointers for the Principal	p. 168
The Ultimate Leadership Tool: Personal Fitness	p. 169
Investing in Personal Fitness	p. 170
Common Pitfalls of the Principalship	p. 172
In Conclusion	p. 176
Recommended Toolbox Resources	p. 177
References	p. 183
Index	p. 195
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