Examining What We Do To Improve Our Schools Eight Steps from Analysis to Action

This book shows school leaders how they can infuse their daily practice with an examination of the actions they take to improve their schools. It identifies eight steps that inform the school improvement process and boost student achievement. These steps provide a framework for examining school improvement as part of a genuine process with meaning and value for all those involved.

Setting the Foundation Having a Shared Vision Understanding the Need for Inquiry Valuing Improvement by Providing Time for Improvement Building Interpersonal Trust And more... Analyzing Data Monovision Analysis The Performance Dashboard Analyzing Data Finding Time And more... Developing Deeper Understanding Techniques for Developing Understanding Tool 3.1 Selecting Data Collection Techniques And more... Engaging in Self-Reflection Seeing the Changing World More Clearly Tool 4.1 Who Am I? And more... Exploring Programmatic Patterns Asking the Right Questions Programmatic Patterns in the Achievement Gap How do Biases Affect Inquiry? And more... Determining Direction Get Everybody on the Bus How Priorities are Established Tool 6.1 Developing Consensus Building Skills And more... Taking Action Organizing the Work: Action Committees Writing a Plan of Action And more... Sustaining Improvements Strategies for Sustaining Improvement The Challenge to Examine Ways to Improve Schools Tool 8.1 CARE Model Planning Tool And more...

Sandra Harris is Professor and Director of the Center for Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where she teaches courses in social justice and qualitative research. Formerly, she served as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in public and private schools. Her scholarship agenda includes administrator preparation and building relationship-oriented, socially-just school environments. She has authored or co-authored over 100 journal articles and book chapters as well as 15 books including BRAVO Teacher, BRAVO Principal, and Managing Conflict: 50 Strategies for School Leaders. She presents at regional, state, and national conferences on these and other related topics, in addition to consulting with school districts., Stacey L. Edmonson is Professor and Director of the Center for Research and Doctoral Studies in Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where she teaches courses in qualitative research, instructional theory, and school law. Formerly, she has been a central office administrator, principal, and teacher in Texas public schools. Her research interests include stress and burnout among educators, legal issues in education, and educator ethics. She has authored several books and articles and presents at regional, state, and national conferences on these and other related topics, in addition to consulting with school districts., Julie P. Combs is currently Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Sam Houston State University. Prior to her position in higher education, she served as a campus principal for 10 years. She has given over 75 international, national, state, and local presentations, one-half of which include consultations with schools and districts. She has published numerous journal articles, book chapters, and co-authored the book, Managing Conflict: 50 Strategies for School Leaders. Her current research interests include trust and leadership, the roles and