Description
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Creating Excellence Becoming An A+ School 2018 Edition by VERNON G. SMITH
Creating Excellence: Becoming an A+ School is intended to be used by first year principals who have inherited a school that is failing or not achieving to a desired level, as well as by seasoned principals who are struggling to improve their school's academic performance. It can also be used effectively as a textbook for graduate students preparing for a career in educational leadership. The book is straightforward in its presentation of practices and strategies supported by research and theory. It has been written to share the knowledge base, impart the technical skills, and highlight the interpersonal skills recommended to enable educational leaders to create excellence and enable their school to become an A+ school. Within the chapters, tools, techniques, and concrete examples are offered. Educational leaders are encouraged to select, revise, and adjust proposed actions based on their own judgement and according to their local conditions, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. Regardless, improving instruction in order to increase student learning must be the focus. PrefaceAcknowledgements Chapter 1: Change and the Demands on EducationChapter 2: Philosophy of EducationWhy Address Philosophy of EducationNeed for a School PhilosophyLeaders and Self-ExaminationDeveloping the School's Philosophy of EducationPhilosophical Thought for ConsiderationChapter 3: The VisionWhat is VisionWhy School VisionLeadership Role in VisioningThe ProcessChapter 4: Climate and CultureWhat is School ClimateThe Importance of ClimateThe Desired ClimateRole of the PrincipalWhat is School CultureThe Principal's RoleChapter 5: Recruitment and Development of StaffRecruitment and SelectionClassroom ObservationsProfessional DevelopmentChapter 6: Rigor and High ExpectationsWhy the Need for RigorWhat is RigorHigh Expectations and RigorHigher Order Thinking and RigorCreating Rigor in the ClassroomMessage for the Educational LeaderChapter 7: Engaging Parents for School SuccessThe Importance of Parental Support and InvolvementWays to Involve and Empower ParentsThe Need for a School-Community Relations PlanConclusionChapter 8: Persistence and Drive - Never Give Up!Union NegotiationsUnderstanding Resistance to ChangeAnticipated Areas of ResistanceDealing with Difficult TeachersDealing with Unruly ParentsConverting Unwilling StudentsBe the Change You Want to SeeAbout the Author