Priority Leadership: Generating School and District Improvement through Systemic Change

by Robert T. Hess, James W. Robinson

Overview

Priority Leadership shows not only what actions and attitudes leaders should take, but also what pitfalls to avoid. Each chapter addresses hindrances to change and hallways for improvement. It is a practical book that will put into the hands of educators a blueprint for positive change that will lead to measurable improvement. This book will be of interest to all educational leaders.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578864386
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	09/22/2006
Series:	Leading Systemic School Improvement , #8
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	6.22(w) x 9.08(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Robert T. Hess is student achievement leader for Springfield Public Schools in Springfield, Oregon and has worked in schools for 19 years. James W. Robinson is superintendent of Lebanon Community Schools in Lebanon, Oregon and has worked in the field of education for the past 32 years.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Introduction Chapter 2 From Planning to Vision Chapter 3 From Goals to Priorities Chapter 4 From Policy to Opportunity Chapter 5 From Problem-Solving to Capacity-Building Chapter 6 From Isolation & Fear of Separation to Relationships & Teamwork Chapter 7 From Controlling Managers to Shared Leadership Chapter 8 From Hidden Agendas to Authentic Listening Chapter 9 From Conformance to Performance Chapter 10 From Tradition to Data to Reflection Chapter 11 From Arrival to Growth Part 12 Appendix: Priority Leader Assessment

Editorial Reviews

I wish I had had this no-nonsense little volume in front of me during my turbulent days as a school principal....Rob T. Hess and James W. Robinson are the keepers of the candle of uncommonly good sense in our profession of too much non-sense....School people see outsiders' efforts to reform their schools as changing things without improving them much. Outsiders see what school people do as improving things a bit without changing them much. Hess and Robinson show us how to change AND improve things.

Roland Barth

The text is at once practical and inspiring, presenting in orderly fashion a compelling 'continuum of change' skill set. It concludes with a priority leader assessment tool, which will help leaders apply concepts and help district colleagues understand what priority leadership is all about. Recommended.

Choice Reviews

The 10 chapters are presented as a growth continuum. They cover subjects such as moving from planning to vision, from hidden agendas to authentic listening, and from arrival to growth.

Reference and Research Book News

A unique look at leadership. This is not a list of tricks but a clear picture of how to authentically lead a school district to greater levels of achievement....Robert T. Hess and James W. Robinson have taken their local and personal leadership experiences and made them universal. They speak to all of us as we challenge our own conceptions of leadership.

Tom Ruhl

Priority Leadership will gently but persuasively tell you things you should have already known and wish you would have acted on much earlier.

School Administrator

The uniquely practical wisdom of two veterans in school leadership. This book is invaluable for authentic strategic planning.

Juanita Lamely

The text is at once practical and inspiring, presenting in orderly fashion a compelling 'continuum of change' skill set. It concludes with a priority leader assessment tool, which will help leaders apply concepts and help district colleagues understand what priority leadership is all about. Recommended.

CHOICE

The text is at once practical and inspiring, presenting in orderly fashion a compelling 'continuum of change' skill set. It concludes with a priority leader assessment tool, which will help leaders apply concepts and help district colleagues understand what priority leadership is all about. Recommended.

Choice

Priority Leadership will gently but persuasively tell you things you should have already known and wish you would have acted on much earlier.

School Administrator Magazine