Critical Issues in Educational Leadership


Book Description

"Critical Issues in Educational Leadership" is a unique and original collection of essay-like chapters that present a straightforward, objective analysis of different perspectives on the major issues facing educational leadership professionals. This comprehensive text provides multifaceted and balanced analysis of the major conceptual, practical, and potential issues facing all individuals interested in educational leadership. Each chapter presents perspectives derived from years of research and practical experience that address problems of effective educational leadership realistically. Students are challenged to view educational leadership as a mix of theory, process, and contemporary practice that requires continuing systematic analysis and review. Special Features: Comprehensive, critical issues presented in multidimensional, original essays developed by the authors allow students and faculty to engage in a meaningful way. Many problems, concerns, and dilemmas are illustrated in a thought-provoking fashion to stimulate debate and discussion and provide direction for continuing dialogue that will foster professional development. Important topics are presented throughout the book, such as no child left behind, ISSLC standards, data driven decision-making, full service schools, and "shattering the glass ceiling" that represents the range of crucial concerns that school leaders face today. Concrete examples that show how theory translates into practice are included in all chapters. Additional resources for instructors using this text are available in the Educational Leadership area at www.ablongman.com. The resources on the site enhance and extend the richness of "Critical Issues inEducational Leadership" with attractive and effective PowerPoint presentations and a meaningful test bank of questions that are differentiated by levels of mastery. Access to the site is available to adopters who request an access code from their local representative. Package this text with MyLabSchool--a powerful set of online tools that bring the classroom to life! Visit www.mylabschool.com for more information!




A New Agenda for Research in Educational Leadership


Book Description

This book, the product of the task force on research co-sponsored by the American Educational Research Association Division A and the University Council on Educational Administration, sets an ambitious agenda for research in educational leadership. Prominent scholars in the field review current knowledge about leadership, frame new questions to generate important research in the field, and direct researchers and policymakers to rethink how educational administration, leadership, and policy should be understood. Covering a broad range of topics, from accountability systems and school?community relationships to the education of students from diverse backgrounds, the authors submit current research to critical scrutiny in order to develop frameworks for new research that can have a significant impact on policy and practice.




The Challenges of Educational Leadership


Book Description

`It should be essential reading at the National College for School Leadership′ - Michael Duffy, Times Educational Supplement, Friday Magazine `This book continues Michael Bottery′s principled and persuasive assault on the application by policymakers of fashionable, shallow and decontextualised solutions (in this case leadership) to fundamental problems and issues in the definition, design and purposes of education. It is distinguished by its embeddedness in wider social science ideas and debates, enabling the challenges that schools and teachers face to be set in context, and by its sharp assessment of the impact of decades of the erosion of trust and meaning on educational work′ - Jenny Ozga, Professor of Educational Research, Centre for Educational Sociology, University of Edinburgh In this book Mike Bottery presents critical issues about the purposes of educational leadership. He examines how `official′ concepts of leadership are driven by demands which are not always to the educational, political, or social benefit of practitioners. This book will help educational leaders and aspiring educational leaders to examine their own values and practice.




School Districts and Instructional Renewal


Book Description

This volume shows how school districts can and do make essential contributions to the renewal and enhancement of American education. It expands the conversation on what school districts are, what they do, and how they can enhance the quality of teaching and learning in US schools.




Critical Issues in Education


Book Description

Designed to be used in courses that examine relevant pro-and-con disputes about schools and schooling. By exploring the major opposing viewpoints on the issues, this text encourages education students to think critically and develop their own viewpoints. It includes research and scholarship, discussion suggestions, and bibliographic references.




Handbook of Research on Educational Leadership and Research Methodology


Book Description

Education inevitably influences society and our future. As literature and experience tells, educational leaders impact not only their institutions, but ultimately the learning outcomes for a large portion of society’s members. Educational leaders are charged with more than creating a viable future for an institution; they are also charged with contributing to and creating a viable, positive human future—not an easy task amid the turbulence and disruption of our times. The Handbook of Research on Educational Leadership and Research Methodology discusses the evolution of educational leadership knowledge, thoughts, and practices by sharing the perspectives, experiences, theories, and philosophies related to educational leadership and research methodologies across all levels of education. Covering topics such as critical race design, toxic leadership, and adult learning, this major reference work is a critical resource for faculty and administrators of both K-12 and higher education, principals, superintendents, chancellors, directors, pre-service teachers, teaching instructors, government officials, librarians, researchers, and academicians.




Distributed Leadership in Practice


Book Description

Distributed leadership has become an important term for educational policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in the United States and around the world, but there is much diversity in how the term is understood. Some use it as a synonym for democratic or participative leadership. This book examines what it means to take a distributed perspective based on extensive research and a rich theoretical perspective developed by experts in the field. Including numerous case studies of individual schools and providing empirically based accounts of school settings using a distributed perspective, this thorough volume: Explores how a distributed perspective is different from other frameworks for thinking about leadership. Provides clear examples of how taking a distributed perspective can help researchers understand and connect more directly to leadership practice. Illustrates how the day-to-day practice of leadership is an important line of inquiry for scholars and for those interested in improving school leadership.




Critical Issues in Early Childhood Teacher Education


Book Description

In recent years there have been significant changes in education across the globe, largely as a result of changing demographics, technological developments, and increased globalization. Relatedly, the changing needs of societies and families, along with new research findings, provide new directions in early childhood education. Consequently, early childhood teachers today are faced with higher and more complex expectations to help ensure that their students achieve their full potential. Such expectations suggest that early childhood teachers should be professionals who are able to draw on a robust knowledge base in making educational decisions. It follows that teacher education programs should develop and implement innovative programs that can potentially enhance the quality of our future teachers. An awareness of pressing issues in the field of early childhood teacher education led the editors to develop this volume. The chapters in these two volumes bring together scholars from across the US and the globe who are interested in improving the quality of early childhood teacher education. The chapters present their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned as they addressed some of the challenging issues concerning the education and preparation of future early childhood teachers. The various issues and perspectives from different states in the US or countries across the globe provide insights into current issues and dilemmas facing the field. The contributions of these scholars should inform the discourse on early childhood teacher education and help those who work with preservice teachers improve the quality of their work.




Critical Perspectives on Teaching, Learning and Leadership


Book Description

This book addresses the significant problems that can arise for pre-service teachers, teachers and school leaders who are unprepared for the complexities of 21st century teaching. It focuses on major factors impacting teacher preparation during an era of significant change, including student learning, academic growth, classroom practice, and the efficacy of teachers. In turn, the book considers crucial aspects that can enhance educational outcomes and investigates questions including what impact the changing nature of teachers’ work has on teacher preparation; how educators can evaluate blended learning; and what impact teachers have on learners. This book provides evidence-based approaches that can be used to achieve a positive impact on education and narrow the gap in contemporary and emerging global topics in education.




Re-Imagining Transformative Leadership in Teacher Education


Book Description

This is the third and final book in the series Transformative Pedagogies in Teacher Education. Like the first two books in the series it is geared towards practitioners in the field of teacher education. This third book focuses on transformative leadership in teacher education. In other words, the kind of leadership and practices that will be important and necessary to bring about the kind of changes that both teachers and students seek to improve educational outcomes for all students, but in particular Black, Indigenous and racialized students who have been traditionally underserved by the education system. Teacher leadership plays an important role in transformative educational change that challenges all forms of oppression and white supremacy. This book features chapters by a collection of scholars, teacher educators, researchers, teacher advocates and practitioners drawing on their research and experiences to explore critical issues in teacher education. The book will be useful to teacher educators working with teacher candidates in different contexts, experienced teachers and school leaders. Given demographic shifts and the need for educators to respond to growing diversity in schools, educators will find valuable strategies in Transformative Pedagogies in Teacher Education: Re-Imagining Transformative Leadership in Teacher Education they can employ in their own practice. In addition to valuable strategies, authors explore different approaches and perspectives critical in these changing and challenging times. Critical notions of education are posited from different perspectives and contexts. This book will be useful for teacher education programs, principal preparation programs, in-service teachers, school boards and districts engaging in ongoing professional development of teachers and school leaders.