Accountability is the Key: Unlocking School Potential through Enhanced Educational Leadership

by John Hunt

Overview

School administration is more difficult today than at any time in our history. Whether addressing the needs of students, parents or staff at the building level, or facing the questions posed by the board of education, the media or the general public at the district level, administrators face constant calls for accountability. Demands for administrative accountability have steadily increased since the publication of A Nation at Risk in 1983. The most recent trend has been to tie administrative evaluations to student performance, increasing stress among administrators at all levels. The cumulative effect of three decades of challenges to administrative authority has undermined the publics view of educational administrators as experts.

The author examines the current state of public education, including the influence of private individuals and foundations, and alternative approaches to the educational delivery model and then highlights successful examples of public education. He concludes by considering input of current administrators and school board members and presents a strategy which educational administrators can employ to win back public confidence and support.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781475804676
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	11/14/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
File size:	234 KB

About the Author

John Hunt is an associate professor of educational leadership at Southern illinois University Edwardsville. He previously spent 34 years in Colorado, Illinois, Missouri and Washington as a teacher, principal, university laboratory school director, assistant superintendent and superintendent.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments

1. The Current World

1. Why Money Matters

1. The Shadow System

1. Administrative Decision-Making: Conflict or Consensus?

1. Listening Skills: The Administrator’s Best Friend

1. The Future of Administrative Accountability: Friend or Foe?

References

Editorial Reviews

Dr. John Hunt proposes an optimistic, enthusiastic view of accountability for our nation’s public schools. New and experienced administrators will find this book both practical and inspirational.

Anne Noland

Accountability Is the Key is a useful primer for all involved in the demanding and valuable work of improving our nation’s schools. Author John Hunt.. . .provides a thorough history of educational reform in the United States.. . .[T]he reader learns several vital skills — collaborating with strength, understanding one’s stakeholder groups and active listening. Hunt successfully blends anecdotes from schools nationwide with thought-provoking questions.

School Administrator

I recommend this book to any professional who wishes to better understand the complexities of improving accountability in education.

Andrea Brown

Dr. John Hunt has provided aSimply excellent! Dr. Hunt’s reputation as both a scholar and successful administrator is demonstrated in this book by his clear understanding of accountability and other 21st Century challenges facing school leaders. Both administrators and administrators in training need to take heed of his excellent insights and recommendations.n outstanding resource for all school administrators. Dr. Hunt has taken school leadership to a higher level by providing avenues of successful methodology for understanding and improving school accountability.

Jim Rosborg

Simply excellent! Dr. Hunt’s reputation as both a scholar and successful administrator is demonstrated in this book by his clear understanding of accountability and other 21st Century challenges facing school leaders. Both administrators and administrators in training need to take heed of his excellent insights and recommendations.

Walter H. Warfield

At last, a book that accurately describes the ownership that all stakeholders must assume for school accountability. Dr. Hunt’s book should be required reading for every member of a school board or school accountability committee.

Gregory N. Pierson

Dr. John Hunt has provided aSimply excellent! Dr. Hunt’s reputation as both a scholar and successful administrator is demonstrated in this book by his clear understanding of accountability and other 21st Century challenges facing school leaders. Both administrators and administrators in training need to take heed of his excellent insights and recommendations.n outstanding resource for all school administrators. Dr. Hunt has taken school leadership to a higher level by providing avenues of successful methodology for understanding and improving school accountability.

Dr. James Rosborg

Dr. John Hunt has provided an outstanding resource for all school administrators. Dr. Hunt has taken school leadership to a higher level by providing avenues of successful methodology for understanding and improving school accountability.

James Rosborg