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Superintendent Leadership

Applying the Educational Leadership Constituent Council Standards for Improved District Performance

By: Elaine L. Wilmore

Maximize districtwide performance through realistic, standards-based practice!

Designed for aspiring and practicing superintendents, this reader-friendly handbook presents research-based, practical guidelines for applying the new Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) standards to real district concerns. The author examines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that superintendents must develop to manage change in today's districts and provides an assessment model for administrator development. This expert resource includes case studies, problem-based learning, and reflective questions and activities to help leaders:

Attain proficiency in each ELCC standard
Develop a positive district culture
Manage operations, resources, and community involvement

Full description

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781412955416
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2008
Page Count: 176
Publication date: January 15, 2008

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Description

"Targeted to meet the needs of superintendents or those aspiring to the position. The stories, vignettes, and reflective exercises for the reader are major strengths."
—Dan Lawson, Superintendent
Tullahoma City Schools, TN

"This is the first professional book that I have found exciting to read in a long time—I really couldn't put it down! It made me immediately want to gather my leadership team together to devise our own plan. A terrific discussion starter, as well as a step-by-step plan for implementing and assessing new programs."
—Marie Blum, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

Maximize districtwide performance through realistic, standards-based practice!

Written by the past president of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration, this valuable resource examines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that superintendents must develop to effectively manage change in today's schools.

Elaine L. Wilmore examines the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) standards—the new benchmarks established by NCATE and ISLLC for a highly effective superintendency—and shows how administrators can incorporate each standard into their global vision and everyday practice. Through case studies, problem-based learning, an assessment model, and reflective questions and activities, this reader-friendly handbook discusses ways for superintendents to:

Attain proficiency in each ELCC standard
Develop a positive district culture
Manage operations, resources, and community involvement

Superintendent Leadership is ideal for the development of future superintendents and the continuous professional learning of current administrators as leaders of the learning community.

Key features

Elaine Wilmore is past president of the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration and is highly regarded for her significant work in the area of administrator development
This resource is an ideal companion to Wilmore's best-selling Principal Leadership
Includes case studies, assessment models, and a research-based listing of ways a superintendent may attain proficiency of each standard
Contains open-ended, problem-based questions applicable to individual study or group discussion

Author(s)

Elaine L. Wilmore

Learn more about Elaine Wilmore's PD offerings

Dr. Elaine Wilmore was a public school teacher, counselor, elementary, and middle school principal before she moved to higher education. She has extensive background in everything from Early Childhood Education to creating and leading doctoral programs. She currently serves as a Doctoral Dissertation Adviser for Nova Southeastern University. She also founded and is President of Elaine L. Wilmore Leadership Initiatives, which focuses on improving campus and district leadership to increase student performance. Elaine formerly served as a Professor, the Chair of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations and as the founding Doctoral Director at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She also served at Dallas Baptist University as Assistant Vice President for Educational Networking and Program Director for the M.Ed. and, again, the implementing director of the Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership.

Prior to her position at Dallas Baptist University, Dr. Wilmore served as Special Assistant to the Dean for NCATE Accreditation, Chair and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and was the founder of all initial Educational Leadership graduate programs at UTA including the innovative field-based and grant funded Educational Leadership UTA, which received national acclaim, and the Scholars of Practice program. While at UTA she also served as Director of University Program Development where she developed and was the original Chair of the Faculty Governance Committee for the College of Education. Dr. Wilmore’s respect amongst those in higher education has led her to serve as a tenure reviewer in four states and a manuscript and proposal reviewer for many conferences and professional journals.

"I attended your workshop at College Station this past summer. I am happy to announce that I passed my certification exam the first time around! I am so excited and look forward to the future and what doors may open. Thank you for your strategies and your book!" - Elodia Witterstaetter, TX

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1. The Educational Leadership Constituent Council Standards as Tools for Improved District Performance

Superintendent Concerns Generated by a Changing Society

What Skills Should a Twenty-First-Century Superintendent Possess?

Knowledge

Skills

Dispositions

History and Development of the Educational Leadership Constituent Council Standards

What Are the ELCC Standards?

Creating the Connection Between the ELCC Standards and Realistic Practice

The Role of the Superintendent in a Changing Democratic Society

2. It's All About the Vision

Standard 1

Introduction

Philosophical Framework

Developing a District Vision

Articulating the District Vision

Implementing the District Vision

Being a Good Steward of the District Vision

Promoting Community Involvement in the District Vision

Problem-Based Learning

Developing and Articulating a District Vision: Where Are We Going to Put So Many New Students?

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Implementing and Being a Good Steward of the District Vision: Let's Try This One More Time

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Promoting Community Involvement in the District Vision: But...We Used to Win All the Time! What's Going On?

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Assessment Model

Ways for You to Do It

Conclusions

The Ultimate Application

3. Advocating, Nurturing, and Sustaining Enhanced Student Learning and Staff Professional Growth

Standard 2

Introduction

Philosophical Framework

Promoting A Positive District Culture

Providing an Effective Instructional Program

Applying Best Practices to Student Learning

Designing Comprehensive Professional Growth Plans

Problem-Based Learning

Promoting a Postive District Culture: Hello! I'm New Here!

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Providing an Effective Instructional Program: But We're Doing the Best That We Can!

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Applying Best Practices to Student Learning: Addressing the Dropout Problem in an Urban District

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Designing Comprehensive Professional Growth Plans: The Sowell-Watson CSD University

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Assessment Model

Ways for You to Do It

Conclusions

The Ultimate Application

4. Leadership Through Management of District Organization, Operations, and Resources

Standard 3

Introduction

Philosophical Framework

Managing the Organization of the District

Managing District Operations

Managing District Resources

Problem-Based Learning

Managing the Organization of the District: A Winding Road in an Urban Area

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Managing District Operations: Baby, It's Raining Outside!

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Managing District Resources: Lord, Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Assessment Model

Ways for You to Do It

Conclusions

The Ultimate Application

5. Creating a Collaborative Learning Community

Standard 4

Introduction

Philosophical Framework

Collaborating with Families and Other Community Members

Responding to Community Interests and Needs

Mobilizing Community Resources

Problem-Based Learning

Collaborating with Families and Other Community Members: The Answer's Not Blowing in the Wind

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Responding to Community Interests and Needs: The Faint of Heart Need Not Apply

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Mobilizing Community Resources: Jimmy Cracked Corn, and We Do Care

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Assessment Model

Ways for You to Do It

Conclusions

The Ultimate Application

6. The Ethical District Leader

Standard 5

Introduction

Philosophical Framework

Acts With Integrity

Acts Fairly

Acts Ethically

Problem-Based Learning

Acts With Integrity: Please Don't Slay the Messenger

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Acts Fairly: Why Is This Happening to Me? What Did I Do Wrong?

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Acts Ethically: Is Equal Always Ethical? Or Is Ethical Always Equal?

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Assessment Model

Ways for You to Do It

Conclusions

The Ultimate Application

7. District and School Community Politics

Standard 6

Introduction

Philosophical Framework

Understanding the Larger Context

Responding to the Larger Context

Influencing the Larger Context

Problem-Based Learning

Understanding the Larger Context: It's What's Inside That Counts, or Beauty is Only Skin Deep

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Responding to the Larger Context: Change for the Sake of Change, or Too Much Change Too Fast?

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Influencing the Larger Context: Let's Define Justice

Reflective Practice: Pause and Think

Assessment Model

Ways for You to Do It

Conclusions

The Ultimate Application

8. The Superintendent Internship

Standard 7

Introduction

Substantial

Sustained

Standards-Based

Domain I - Leadership of the Educational Community

Domain II - Instructional Leadership

Domain III - Administrative Leadership

Real Settings

Planned and Guided Cooperatively

Graduate Credit

Assessment Model

Conclusions

The Ultimate Application

9. It's Up to You

Final Applications

Recommendations

Go Forth, and Do Well!

Suggested Additional Reading

References

Index

Reviews

"The ELCC standards are important and should be studied by aspiring administrators. This book examines each standard, discusses its application in the workforce, and offers practical suggestions for implementation."

Randel Beaver, Superintendent
Archer City ISD, TX

"Clearly written and targeted to meet the needs of superintendents or those aspiring to the position. The stories, vignettes, and reflective exercises for the reader are major strengths."

Dan Lawson, Superintendent
Tullahoma City Schools, TN

"Necessary reading for the training and practice of school superintendents. The reflection, context, and application sections of each chapter assist the reader in moving from a mere intellectual agreement with the author to the implementation of the standards and ideas."

Janie P. Edmonds, Superintendent
Mendham Borough Schools, NJ

"This is the first professional book that I have found 'exciting' to read in a long time—I really couldn’t put it down! It was insightful and made me immediately want to gather my educational leadership team together to devise our own plan. A terrific discussion starter, as well as a step-by-step plan for implementing and assessing new programs."

Marie Blum, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

"The reflective practice segments are by far the most valuable parts of the book, because they force the reader to decide how he or she would solve the problems presented."

Robert A. Frick, Superintendent
Lampeter-Strasburg School District, PA

“Tells superintendents how to apply the ELCC standards for improved districtwide performance. Written by the past president of NCPEA, this book examines the foundations of these benchmarks, their practice and applications, and uses case study examples from real-world models to address issues of district culture, community involvement, and more.”

The Bookwatch, May 2008
Midwest Book Review

Other Titles in: Leadership | Superintendents & District Administration

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