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Leading Learning

Change Student Achievement Today!

By: Rosemarye T. Taylor

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

School improvement is not the result of a single action, but rather of many successful practices used together. This research-based resource helps school and district leaders implement specific actions that drive second-order change and increase student achievement. Taylor focuses on various themes—from stimulating intellectual growth to making decisions based on data—and offers readers:

Numerous examples from real schools, with descriptions and analysis of actions that increase achievement
Interviews with successful leaders that offer a realistic look at the issues involved
Ample forms, sample notes, templates, and other materials

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Product Details

Grade Level: K-12
ISBN: 9781412978705
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2009
Page Count: 152
Publication date: November 28, 2012

Price: $32.95

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Description

"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!

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

Author(s)

Rosemarye T. Taylor

Rosemarye (Rose) Taylor has a rich background that includes middle and high teaching, school administration, and district administration. She was a reading, language arts, and Spanish teacher, and counselor, followed by service as a middle and high school administrator, and district level administrator in Georgia and Florida, USA. In private sector management she was Director of Professional Development for Scholastic, Inc., New York. Currently, she is Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.

As Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Central Florida, her specialty is systematic leadership to improve student achievement Pk-20, which as lead to her interest and research in the professional practice doctorate. She has conducted research on leadership and change, particularly as it relates to accountability. Presentations on this topic have been given at University Council of Educational Administration, American Association of Educational Research, American Association of School Administrators, International Reading Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, National Association of Secondary School Principals, and National Middle School Association conferences. Her articles have been published in Kappan, Educational Leadership, Middle School Journal, Schools in the Middle, American Secondary Education, AASA Professor, The National Staff Development Journal, Principal Leadership, The School Administrator, Educational Research Service Spectrum, and International Journal of Education Management. Six books including Leading Learning: Improve Student Achievement Today! (2010), Improving Readers, Writers, and Content Learning for Students in Grades 4-12 (2007), Leadership Handbook for Literacy Coaching (2006),The K-12 Literacy Leadership Fieldbook (2005), Literacy Leadership for Grades 5-12, (2003), and Leading With Character to Improve Student Achievement (2003), reflect the commitment to all students learning more through leadership that creates ethical, fail-safe systems. She serves as consultant on literacy, learning communities, curriculum system development, and leadership to schools, districts and professional organizations.

Table of Contents

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

Reviews

"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

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