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Closing the Leadership Gap
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Closing the Leadership Gap
How District and University Partnerships Shape Effective School Leaders



August 2007 | 176 pages | Corwin

"Makes a distinct contribution to the field and will be a very useful resource for universities and school districts."
—Susan Villani, Senior Program/Research Associate, Learning Innovations
Author, Mentoring and Induction Programs That Support New Principals

"Will improve the training and practice of future school administrators and the learning of students across the country."
—Jim Lentz, Superintendent, Augusta Public Schools, KS

Blend theory with real-world practices to develop and sustain effective leadership!

University preparation programs for educational leaders are continually criticized for lack of connectedness to the real world, while school and district leaders face mounting pressure to adopt the latest research-based best practices. Closing the Leadership Gap demonstrates what happens when universities and districts work together to shape and support superior leadership that harnesses the qualities of excellence in both practice and research. The authors, experts in school-university partnerships for leadership development, help close the gap between academic training and day-to-day issues with a program that incorporates collaborative partnerships between university faculty and inservice administrators.

Filled with lessons learned, school leader voices, and reflections throughout, this book illustrates how to cultivate and sustain ethical, effective leadership. Readers will find:

  • Field-tested tools, templates, and forms
  • Research-based strategies to apply in any leadership development endeavor
  • Performance assessment and documentation methods

This resource is ideal for staff developers, leadership coaches, university preparation programs, and prospective or practicing administrators committed to a strong leadership preparation curriculum that inspires leaders to remain in education and have a lasting, positive impact upon student achievement.


 
About the Authors
 
Acknowledgments
 
Introduction
 
1. A Change in the Way We Think About Leadership
 
2. Using Successful Leadership Practice to Inform Theory
 
3. Using Leadership Theory to Inform Practice
 
4. Collaborative Partnerships for Preparing Leaders
 
5. Redesigning the Curriculum to Match the New Realities
 
6. Developing Ethical Leaders
 
7. The PALA Story: An Example of a Partnership Academy for Leaders
 
Resources
 
A. ISLLC Standards Summary and Sample
 
B. McREL's 21 Responsibilities of School Leaders
 
C. Matrix Combining ISLLC Standards and McREL's 21 Responsibilities
 
D. Matrix Combining ISLLC Standards and NPBEA 21 Competencies
 
E. Importance/Urgency Organizer
 
F. Planning Framework by ISLLC Standard
 
G. Leadership Academy Application
 
H. Brochure: Sample
 
I. Planning Meeting Notes: Sample
 
J. Mentoring Guidelines
 
K. Request for Input From Mentors: Sample
 
L. Required Activities
 
M. Agenda: Sample
 
N. Leadership Academy Interview Rubric
 
O. Academy Progress/End of Phase I: Sample
 
P. Portfolio Evaluation Rubric for the Leadership Academy
 
Q. Research Tracking Matrix
 
References
 
Index

"Will improve the training and practice of future school administrators and the learning of students across the country."

Jim Lentz, Superintendent
Augusta Public Schools, KS

"This book would make an outstanding choice for a principals’ study group and would be an incredible read for preservice administrators."

Gina Marx, Assistant Superintendent
Augusta Public Schools, KS

"This book makes a distinct contribution to the field and will be a very useful resource for universities and school districts."

Susan Villani, Senior Program/Research Associate, Learning Innovations
Author, Mentoring and Induction Programs That Support New Principals

"Offers college-level libraries a satisfying blend of theory and real-world applications to address issues of effective leadership and draw together examples of results when universities and districts work together to shape such leadership qualities."

The Bookwatch, October 2007

"These veteran educators provide a practical recap for using leadership theory to inform school leadership practice, identifying the form and process for school-university collaboration that can be applied in a variety of settings."

The School Administrator, March 2008
American Association of School Administrators

“A fresh and sincere perspective on instituting collaborative training and partnership models to prepare emerging educational leaders for public school careers.”

NACADA Journal, Vol. 28(2)
National Academic Advising Association
Key features
  • Field-tested tools, templates, and forms
  • School-university program leadership development tools that are research-based
  • Strategies that can be used and applied in any leadership development endeavor
  • Performance assessment tools and documentation
  • Filled with school leader voices and reflections throughout

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction

Chapter 1


Purchasing options

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

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ISBN: 9781412936750
CAD$ 47.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

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