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Handbook of Instructional Leadership
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Bestseller!

Handbook of Instructional Leadership
How Successful Principals Promote Teaching and Learning

Second Edition


November 2003 | 248 pages | Corwin

Updated Edition of Bestseller!

Build a learning community of teachers and students through mastering the art of effective leadership!

The first edition of this classic text was based on a landmark study in which the authors surveyed over 800 K-12 teachers to find how the best principals encourage teacher growth and professionalism. The answers provided conclusive evidence that the most successful principals act as instructional leaders who advocate teacher development that enhances students' learning. The updated and expanded second edition presents new research by the Blases, along with the most recent research and insights to support the text's groundbreaking theory.

Successful instructional leaders inspire their staff to develop "professional learning communities" dedicated to effective teaching practices. New to the second edition is an in-depth analysis that shows principals how to achieve this goal. Also new are additional figures, models, and reading lists that enrich the text's original findings.

Time-tested practices of instructional leadership are still central features. Principals can use these keys to success to:

  • Build teachers' trust through continual communication
  • Encourage teachers to continue their self-improvement efforts
  • Motivate teachers with constructive feedback
  • Promote and participate in reflective practices
  • Support and encourage teachers' professional development

Encourage your teachers to be their best through supportive collaboration and communication. Practice real instructional leadership and develop a "professional learning community" in which effective teaching promotes continued learning.


Stephen P. Gordon
Foreword
 
Preface
Acknowledgments

 
 
About the Authors
 
Dedication
 
Part I. The Art and Science of Instructional Leadership
 
1. The Craft of Teacher Supervision
Our Study

 
The Instructional Supervision Legacy: From Control to Collaboration

 
Research on Instructional Supervision

 
Current Issues in the Field

 
 
2. The Conference: Heart of Instructional Supervision
Successful Approaches

 
Research on Instructional Conferences

 
Our Findings

 
Summary

 
 
3. Staff Development: Promoting Professional Growth
Research on Teaching and Learning

 
How Do Teachers Learn? Principles That Shape Staff Development

 
Our Findings: The Lifelong Study of Teaching and Learning

 
PSSSSST! Redesign

 
Tips for Leaders

 
Summary

 
 
4. Reflection: Encouraging Critical Study
The Need for Reflective Practice

 
Related Research and the Development of Frameworks for Reflective Thinking

 
Approaches to Reflective Supervision

 
Our Study: Characteristics of Teacher Reflection

 
Principal Behaviors Fostering Reflection in Teachers and the Benefits to Teachers

 
Cognitive Coaching: Bridge to Reflection

 
Encouraging Reflection: Helpful Reminders

 
Portrait of a Facilitator for Reflective Practice

 
 
Part II. How Supervisors' Behaviors - Positive and Negative - Affect Teachers
 
5. Being Visible Versus Interrupting and Abandoning
Visibility by Wandering Around

 
Interruption of Class Instruction

 
Abandonment

 
 
6. Praising Versus Criticizing
Praise

 
Criticism: More About Control

 
 
7. Extending Autonomy Versus Maintaining Control
Extending Autonomy

 
The Control Orientation and Instructional Leadership

 
Other Aspects of Control

 
Goals of Principals' Control Orientation

 
The Abusive Control Orientation: The Worst of All

 
Summary

 
 
8. Conclusion: The Successful Instructional Leader
What, Then, Is Successful Instructional Leadership or Supervision?

 
Successful Leadership Vis-à-vis Instruction

 
Tips for Principals

 
Linking Instructional Leadership to the Development of a Professional Learning Community

 
 
9. Instructional Leadership: A Bridge to the Development of a Professional Learning Community
Recruiting for a Professional Learning Community

 
Professional Learning Communities: Findings From Research

 
Suggestions for Expanding Successful Instructional Leadership to Develop a Professional Learning
Community

 
Everyone an Academic Leader

 
More to Learn: A Final Word

 
 
Resource: Research Method and Procedures
 
References
 
Index

it suited the course
it had practical information

Professor Michelle Prytula
Educational Administration, Univ of Saskatchewan
February 14, 2012
Key features
  • Biggest seller in instructional leadership
  • This book is specifically intended for K-12 principals, but will appeal to higher education as well
  • Written by two of Corwin's bestselling authors
  • This book is widely known and recognized by instructional leadership experts in the country
  • Good book for Sage Education to promote in administration

In this expanded second edition of the Handbook of Instructional Leadership the authors include findings from recent research, literature, and national reports as well as additional figures, models, tips, and reading lists. In the new, final chapter the authors integrate findings about successful instructional leadership with extant research on professional learning communities and constructivist leading and learning.

The authors conclude that "we have not yet achieved a full understanding of myriad related issues such as adult growth, career development, reflective thinking, power elements of interaction among educators, coaching, constructivist leading and learning, and development of professional learning communities. Refreshingly, the continuing study of instructional leadership, partially illuminated by such work as this, is testament to the essence of all who work in our field as teachers, leaders, and researchers: It is a matter of lifelong learning."

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: 9780761931157
CAD$ 54.95

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

For instructors

This book is not available as an inspection copy. For more information contact your local sales representative.