School Leadership: Case Studies Solving School Problems

by Benjamin Piltch, Terrence Quinn

Overview

Parents, lawmakers, supervisors, and unions are among the many constituencies that demand influence, if not control, of the educational process. How does the school administrator balance all the needs of the various groups and still remain true to the ultimate, though most powerless constituency: the students? Through case studies and anecdotes based on real-life experiences, the authors share the ups and downs of the educational world, seeking to find the balance that is most effective in ensuring success. School Leadership:Case Studies Solving School Problems details decision making and actions taken that dramatically affect the success of students and schools as well as school systems. This second edition continues and improves on the first edition with a series of new and timely school leadership case studies that require the reader to reflect on the variety of issues that cross the principal's desk every day. The reader will find the case studies and anecdotes highly absorbing. They are so real, fraught with complexity, and will require the reader to use a sophisticated decision-making process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781607099536
Publisher:	R&L Education
Publication date:	01/16/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	136
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Benjamin Piltch, now retired, has had extensive experience as a classroom teacher, central office administrator, principal, college professor and college administrator for an education master's degree program. He has presented at many conferences locally and nationally. Terrence Quinn is associate professor and coordinator of the Educational Leadership Program at Queens College, New York City. His work as a school principal earned him national recognition as Reader's Digest American Hero in Education.

Table of Contents

1 1. Preface
2 2. 21st Century School Leadership: Best Practices
3 3. Talent Multipliers - And Diminishers
4 4. Is Test Practice Effective Instruction?
5 5. Zachary's Achilles Heel
6 6. Good Communication is Essential
7 7. A Betrayal of Trust
8 8. The Principal as the Instructional Leader Part
9 9. The Principal as the Instructional Leader Part 2
10 10. "We Are Normal Too"
11 11. The Elemiddle School
12 12. A Community of Principals
13 13 . 90% of Success is Showing Up
14 14. School Leadership Committee
15 15. A Principal's Report Card
16 16. Will Cheating Strike Out Bobby?
17 17. The Chart Attack
18 18. Fighting Fat
19 19. Town on the Rebound
20 20. Making A Mark
21 21. Management Stuff
22 22. Visiting the Classes
23 23. Culture Shock
24 24. The BMW Teacher
25 25. The Vision Thing
26 26. Serving Two Masters
27 27. The Game Plan
28 28. Is Bernie Burning Out?
29 29. But Can She Teach?
30 30. A Community of Teachers
31 31. A Good Parents Association President
32 32. The Petulant PTA President
33 33. Hands-on Science
34 34. Innovative Staff Development
35 35. In-School Suspension
36 36. The New Teacher
37 37. Ongoing Assessment
38 38. Social Studies Instruction
39 39. A Difference of Styles
40 40. When Pupil Achievement Goes South
41 41. Tug of Conscience

Editorial Reviews

One of the most common criticisms of administrative preparation programs is that they lack reality. What potential administrators want and need are authentic leadership strategies. This book of 'real world' case studies is exactly what my students need. These highly successful principals are not just spouting theory—they are drawing upon their extensive administrative experience. Current and future school leaders will reap the rewards this material has in store for them.

Rodney Davis

Situational awareness-the ability to know what to do in a wide variety of situations at that very moment-is one of the key indices of successful leadership. Recent studies on leadership significantly underscore this point. That's why I am so excited that Benjamin Piltch and Terrence Quinn have compiled a marvelous set of case studies for educational leaders. Whether you are an aspiring leader, a novice principal, or a veteran, a great deal of 'craft knowledge' will be shared with the reader. In my nineteenth year as principal of a large elementary school in western New York and as a professor of educational administration at SUNY-Brockport, this volume will be referred to time and time again!

James R. Thompson