Book Description

Recognizing the importance of good leadership to the achievement of educational excellence, the second edition of this handbook synthesizes a large body of school leadership literature and explores the subject from three perspectives: the person, the structure, and the skills. Part I examines characteristics of today's educational leaders; effective leadership styles and qualities; administrator training, hiring, and induction methods; and the scarcity of female and black school leaders. Part II looks at the organizational supports underlying school leadership. This section examines the balance of authority between the central office and the school site, the team approach to management, the decision-making context, and the components of school climate. Part III highlights leadership abilities needed by today's school administrators. Besides knowing how to manage the school's instructional program and staff, administrators must be able to communicate in today's more open, sharing organization; build coalitions of community groups; make meetings more productive; and manage time, stress, and conflict more effectively. Concerned about integrating theory with practice, the book offers many practical suggestions for using the information presented. Accompanying each chapter are extensive bibliographical references that appear at the end of the volume. (MLH)