Finding, Preparing, and Supporting School Leaders

Critical Issues, Useful Solutions

By (author) Sharon Conley, Bruce S. Cooper Contributions by Scott C. Bauer, S. David Brazer, Naftaly S. Glasman, David F. Leach, William H. Marinell, Margaret Terry Orr, George J. Petersen, Diana G. Pounder, Roberta Trachtman

Not available to order

Publication date:

16 December 2010

Length of book:

168 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

ISBN-13: 9781607098393

With dwindling funds and resources, tougher state and federal standards, and fatigue from more regulations and testing, many school administrators are giving up _or 'crashing' and leaving their posts. This book examines the process of preparing, encouraging, and retaining quality leaders at the school and district levels. Beginning with a chapter outlining six steps of critical organizational supports, subsequent chapters address factors in preparing administrator candidates effectively; improving novice teacher retention through principal support and mentoring; utilizing more fully mid-career teachers who come to schools having worked outside of education; the role of isolation in new principals' sense of efficacy; research findings about assistant superintendents about job satisfaction, efficacy, and ambitions for promotion; and finally, contemporary leadership challenges existing at the superintendent level. Concluding with thoughts about administrator accountability, the various chapters offer contemporary views on the preparation, utilization, and retention of school administrators throughout the life cycle. The chapters provide needed insight into what should and must be done to grow the best leaders for US schools.
In today's schools problems abound; leadership is in short supply. The shortfall is caused, in part, by our 'tiptoeing' around the core issues: How do we seek out, educate, and motivate people to become effective educational leaders? This book brings together people who know what they are talking about to address pressing questions that need attention. The collection is akin to having a panel of experts at the ready for immediate consultation or support.