Effective Communication for District and School Administrators

By (author) Theodore J. Kowalski

Publication date:

21 August 2015

Length of book:

224 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781475808841

The book is a unique and necessary contribution to the literature on school administration. Research, theory, and practice were melded to produce a book that can be used as a primary or supplemental text or as professional growth resource for practitioners. Communication scholars, especially since 1990, have concluded that competence must be defined and studied in the context of professions. As such, a growing number of medical schools, law schools, and business schools have integrated communication into their curricula. This book provides a resource for such integration into the study and practice of district and school administration.

Preface
Chapter 1: Communication Basics

Introduction
Communication Characteristics
- Form
- Flow
- Status
- Action
- Symmetry

Theoretical Perspectives
- Classical theories
- Human relations theories
- Systems theories
Synthesis
Reflective questions

Chapter 2: Communicating Competently

Introduction
Communicative behavior
- Institutional dimension
- Personal dimension
Avoiding common problems
- Insufficient forethought
- Organizational constraints
- Personal constraints
- Inadequate evaluation
Complementary and Relational Communication
Communicative competence
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 3: Leadership and Relationships

Introduction
Understanding Leadership
- Leadership, management, and administration
- Formal versus informal leadership
Importance of Relationships
- Communicative behavior and relationships
- Relationships matter
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 4: Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Critical Thinking

Introduction
Problem Solving

Problem framing
Stages

Decision Making

Types of decisions
Group decision making

Critical Thinking

Language and communication
Reflection

Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 5: Organizational Communication

Introduction
Schools as Loosely Coupled Organizations
- Schools and coupling
- Advantages and disadvantages of loose coupling
- Contemporary perspective
Communication Networks
- Formal versus informal networks
- Bridges or buffers
- Beneficial properties
- Constructing and applying evidence
- Evaluating networks
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 6: School Governance and Democratic Administration

Introduction
Citizen Involvement in School Governance
- Democratic localism
- Representative democracy
- Current conditions
Democratic Administration
- Historical context
- The second coming
- Democratic administration and communication
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 7: Climate, Culture, and the Learning Organization

Introduction
School Climate
- Elements
- Closed and open climates
School Culture
- Elements
- Effects
- Culture and communication
- Why culture change is difficult
School as a Learning Organization
- Organizational learning
- A learning culture
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 8: Initiating and Sustaining Planned Change

Introduction
Contemporary School Reform
- 1983-1989
- Post 1989
Change Processes
- Empirical-rational
- Power-coercive
- Normative-reeducative
Process Issues: Involvement and Communication
- Inclusiveness
- Communicating appropriately
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 9: School Partnerships

Introduction
Understanding Partnerships
- Definition
- Levels of Autonomy
- Operational Characteristics
Motives
- Community stakeholders
- Educators
- Collaborating organizations/groups
Why Partnerships Succeed or Fail
- Effective Practices
- Potential Pitfalls
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 10: Managing Conflict

Introduction
Organizational Conflict

Defining conflict
Conflict in schools

Sources, Types, and Contaminants

Sources and types
Contaminants

Management System and Strategies

System
Strategies

Conflict Management and Communication

Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 11: Conducting a Referendum Campaign

Introduction
Key Administrative Responsibilities
Verifying the need
Marketing
Conducting the Campaign
- Organization
- Process
- Potential pitfalls
- Evaluating outcomes
Importance of Communication
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Chapter 12: Relationships with Media Personnel

Introduction
Working with Journalists
- Preparation
- Making relationships positive
Initiating Media Coverage
- Press releases
- Press conferences
Electronic Media Interviews
- Video
- Audio
Crisis Communication
- Before the crisis
- During the crisis
- After the crisis
Synthesis
Reflective Questions

Ted Kowalski's book on communication has long set the standard in the field, and this newly updated edition should continue that tradition for years to come. It is clearly organized and crisply written, comprehensive without being encyclopedic. Given the profound changes in the way our schools and society have evolved in the last decade, this book is as timely as it is useful.