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A Guide to Mathematics Leadership
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A Guide to Mathematics Leadership
Sequencing Instructional Change

Edited by:


November 2009 | 176 pages | Corwin

Leadership Solutions

"If you have anything at all to do with mathematics leadership in your school or district, this resource is the launch pad for your leadership efforts. It provides the necessary background, gets you started, and will force you to consider 'leadership traps' you may encounter along the way. This book won't be placed on a shelf—it will be used daily!"
—Skip Fennell, Professor, McDaniel College
Past President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Empower mathematics educators and learners to meet and exceed high expectations!

School leaders who are responsible for improving mathematics achievement face tremendous challenges. Written by three noted mathematics educators, this book helps leaders implement a high-quality mathematics program, regardless of the status of their current programs or the availability of resources.

A Guide to Mathematics Leadership presents a process-based approach to improving mathematics instruction based on five principles identified by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)—equity, curriculum, teaching, learning, and assessment—and four leadership principles from the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics (NCSM)—equity leadership, teaching and learning leadership, curriculum leadership, and assessment leadership. These principles are applied during the program improvement cycle, which includes:

  • Articulating the curriculum
  • Implementing the curriculum
  • Incorporating effective instructional strategies
  • Providing timely and targeted feedback
  • Establishing professional learning communities
  • Fostering professional development

Filled with practical advice, tips, tools, and resources for each stage of the process, this book guides readers in the next steps to excellence in mathematics instruction and learning.


 
List of Figures
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Part 1. Preparing the Foundation
 
1. Understanding and Clarifying Leadership in Mathematics
What Is Leadership and Who Is a Leader?

 
Building a Culture of Success

 
NCTM Principles and NCSM Leadership Principles

 
 
2. Engaging and Empowering Staff
Staff Inclusion and Effective Communication

 
Leadership Decision Making

 
Instructional Leadership

 
Dynamics of Engagement and Empowerment

 
Expectations and Challenges

 
 
Part 2. A Leadership Model
 
3. Articulating the Curriculum
Curriculum Alignment

 
Opportunity to Learn

 
Scope, Sequence, and Timeline Alignment

 
Rigorous Curriculum

 
 
4. Implementing the Curriculum
Curriculum Implementation

 
Monitored Implementation

 
Monitored Progress

 
 
5. Incorporating Effective Instructional Strategies
Incorporating Effective Instructional Strategies for All

 
Student Collaboration in the Form of Teamwork

 
Using Group-Worthy Problems

 
Incorporating Instructional Strategies for ELL Students

 
Matching Materials to Desired Instructional Strategies

 
Using Data to Inform Practice 1: Analyzing Student Work

 
Using Data to Inform Practice 2: Analyzing Student Assessments

 
 
6. Providing Timely and Targeted Feedback
Using Pertinent Data

 
Targeted Information

 
Building Trust

 
 
7. Establishing Professional Learning Communities
Establishing Collaboration

 
Building Community

 
Facilitating Reflection

 
 
8. Fostering Professional Development
Structuring Effective Professional Development

 
Mentoring and Coaching

 
Other Approaches to Professional Development

 
 
Part 3. Continuing the Work
 
9. Reflecting on How Students Learn Mathematics
What Mathematics Must or Should Students Learn?

 
What Methods and Tools Will Be Most Effective in Helping Students Learn?

 
What Does Research Say?

 
How Do Students Learn to Become Problem Solvers?

 
How Do Students Learn to Communicate Mathematics?

 
 
10. Putting It All Together
Looping, or Recycling Through the Developmental Stages

 
Mathematics Leaders' Influence

 
Guiding Questions for Critiquing the Developmental Stages

 
 
References
 
Index

"If you have anything at all to do with mathematics leadership in your school or district, this resource is the launch pad for your leadership efforts. It provides the necessary background, gets you started, and will force you to consider 'leadership traps' you may encounter along the way. This book won't be placed on a shelf—it will be used daily!"

Skip Fennell, Professor, McDaniel College
Past President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

"With a strong basis in research, this book is a practical guide to transforming mathematics education. Leaders at all levels will find an invaluable resource for their professional libraries."

Jesse Warren, Curriculum Facilitator
South Bend Community School Corporation, IN

"A comprehensive and practical guide for mathematics leaders at all levels to improve their leadership skills. The authors include all aspects of leadership including curriculum development, implementation, and alignment; working with classroom teachers to improve practice; and effective professional development and ongoing work to grow as leaders. Based on current research and the vision presented by NCTM and NCSM, this book should be included in the professional library of every educator with responsibility for leadership in mathematics education."

Linda Gojak, Past President
National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics
Key features
  • Presents a recursive, process-based approach to improving mathematics instruction
  • Addresses the unique role of mathematics leaders
  • Offers mathematics leaders a change process that they can implement from their current position
  • Links to NCTM principles of mathematics education and NCSM principles of mathematics leadership
  • Includes practical guidance, tips, tools, and resources for each stage of the process 

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: 9781412975438
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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