The Principalship: A Reflective Practice Perspective, Sixth Edition

Thomas J. Sergiovanni (0-205-57858-6)

The Principalship: A Reflective Practice Perspective focuses on how school leaders can create outstanding schools using reflective practice and moral authority.

New to This Edition

• Expanded coverage of instructional leadership emphasizes the principal’s role in helping to plan, provide, and supervise teaching and learning (Chapters 12 and 13).
• Case studies describing effective schools encourage students to engage in decision-making about the topics discussed.
• Discussions about the building of communities of practice (Chapter 5) and shared leadership (Chapter 8) describe these as a way to move beyond collegiality to the development of a shared practice that is more effective for student achievement.
• Helping teachers become smarter at what they do, a theme of past editions, continues as a theme of this edition with an all new emphasis on the development of smart schools where individual intelligences are aggregated.   Smart schools lead to smart students.
• “Some Reflections” features have been added to most chapters as a way to involve the reader in reflection and to provide groups of readers with a shared experience that will enrich classroom discussions.
• A new online Instructor’s Manual with test questions is available to adopters of this text by contacting your local representative.

Here’s what a colleague says about this book…

“One of the best, if not the best, texts ever written for aspiring school administrators. The gentle blend of theory and practicality make it a must read for aspiring school administrators. I enjoyed teaching from this text more than any other.”

–Philip V. Bender, Indiana State University

Here’s what a colleague says about this book…

“One of the best, if not the best, texts ever written for aspiring school administrators. The gentle blend of theory and practicality make it a must read for aspiring school administrators. I enjoyed teaching from this text more than any other.”

—Philip V. Bender, Indiana State University

Preface

About the Author

Part I    The Moral Dimension

Chapter 1 Setting the Stage: Administering as a Moral Craft

            The Heart, Head, and Hand of Leadership

            The Moral Imperative

            Normative Rationality

            Strengthening the Heartbeat

            The Eight Competencies

            Followership is the Goal

            The Challenge of Leadership

            The Lifeworld of Schooling

            Building the Character of Your School

            A Commitment to Democratic Values

            Time, Feeling, Focus

            Servant Leadership

            Some Reflections

            References

Part II  Toward a New Theory

Chapter 2 The Principal's Job Today and Tomorrow

            Ideal Conceptions of the Principalship

            Thick Visions: A Values Approach

            Breaking Ranks

            A Standards-Based Approach

            Parochial Schools

            The Complex Nature of Managerial Work

            No Child Left Behind

            Demands, Constraints, and Choices

            The Changing Role

            Principals' Priorities: Comparing Perceptions

            A Look Ahead

            New Emphasis on Instructional Leadership

            Direct and Indirect Leadership

            Some Reflections

            References

            Appendix 2.1 New Standards for Advanced Programs in Educational Leadership

            Appendix 2.2 Profile of an ICEL Graduate

            Appendix 2.3 A Day in the Life of an Urban Elementary Principal

Chapter 3 The Limits of Traditional Management Theory

            Mindscapes of Practice

            Reflective Practice: The Paradigm of the Scruffies

            Changing Mindscapes

            The Limits of Traditional Management Theory

            Some Reflections

            References

Chapter 4 A New Theory for the Principalship

            Toward a New Theory

            Controlling Events or Probabilities?

            The New Theory and School Organization

            Changing Our Metaphors

            Some Reflections

            References

Chapter 5 The School as a Moral Community

            The Story of Community

            Social Covenants

            A Theory of Community

            The Importance of Relationships

            The Pattern Variables

            Finding the Right Balance

            Bonding and Bridging

            Why is Community Important?

            Pathways to Student Learning

            Some Reflections

            References

Part III Providing Leadership

Chapter 6 The Forces of Leadership and the Culture of Schools

            The Forces of Leadership

            The Dynamic Aspects of School Culture

            Some Reflections

            References

            Appendix 6.1 Frances Hedges and Orchard Park Elementary School

            Appendix 6.2 A Primer on School Culture

Chapter 7 The Stages of Leadership: A Developmental View

            The Sources of Authority for Leadership

            The Stages of Leadership

            Why Leadership by Binding and Bonding Works

            Leadership Styles Count Too

            Craftsmen Leaders are Critical

            The Archetypes in Review

            Idea-Based Leadership

            Some Reflections

            References

Chapter 8 Becoming a Community of Leaders

            Practical Issues

            Leadership as a Practice

            New Leadership Values for the Principalship

            Distributed Leadership

            Reciprocity is Key

            Constructivist Leadership

            A Community of Leaders

            Some Reflections

            References

Part IV Instructional Leadership

Chapter 9 Characteristics of Successful Schools

            Characteristics of Successful Schools

            Academic Press and Community Together

            The Importance of Character

            Reflective Practice

            Some Reflections

            References

Chapter 10 Becoming a Community of Mind

            The Importance of Goals

            Using Educational Platforms

            Purposing is the Linchpin

            The Principles of Learning

            Leading with Ideas

            Both Discipline and Discretion Are Key

            Providing the Necessary Leadership

            Some Reflections

            References

            Appendix 10.1 Assumptions About Learning and Knowledge

Chapter 11 Teaching, Learning, and Community

            Comparing the Theories

            Implications for Supervision

            Research on "Effective Teaching"

            Teaching and Basic Skills Score Gains

            Recent Research

            Teaching for Understanding

            The Classroom as Learning Community

            Authentic Learning

            An Integrated View

            Purposes and Objectives

            Some Reflections

            References

            Appendix 11.1 Standards and Scoring Criteria for Assessment of Assignments Teachers Give

Chapter 12 Instructional Leadership, Supervision, and Teacher Development

            Training Models

            Professional Development Models

            Renewal Models

            Teacher Development and Types of Teacher Competence

            The Nature of Professional Expertise

            Reflecting on Supervision

            Supervision and Evaluation

            Linking Teacher Development to School Effectiveness

            Helping Teachers Achieve Goals

            Some Reflections

            References

Chapter 13 Clinical Supervision, Coaching, Peer Inquiry, and Other Supervisory Practices

            Clinical Supervision as an Example

            A Shortcut Strategy for Clinical Supervision

            The Lesson Study

            Peer Supervision

            Looking at Student Work

            Coaching

            Coaches as Roving Leaders

            An Evolving Job

            References

            Appendix 13.1 Critical Friends Groups in Action: A Day in the Life of Schoolwide CFGs

Part V Motivation, Commitment, and Change

Chapter 14 Motivation, Commitment, and the Teacher's Workplace

            Problems and Contradictions in Policy and Practice

            Using Motivation Theory and Research to Inform Practice

            Women as a Special Case

            Motivation, Efficacy, and Student Performance

            The Power of Beliefs

            Some Reflections

            References

            Appendix 14.1 Studying the Climate of Your School

            Appendix 14.2 Quality of Work Life in Teaching Scoring Form

Chapter 15 The Change Process

            More than Adoption, More than Implementation

            A Systems View of Change

            Overcoming Resistance to Change

            A Theory of School Improvement

            Sustaining Improvement

            Leading Improvement and Sustaining Learning

            Some Ethical Questions

            The Change Facilitating Team

            The Meaning of Educational Change

            Moral Purpose is Key

            References

            Appendix 15.1 Change Facilitator Styles Inventory

Index