This book shows how school leaders at all levels – from the most senior manager to the classroom teacher – can help to build learning communities through collaborating and negotiating with their colleagues, students and students’ parents and carers, as well as with external agencies and local communities, to sustain and develop the enjoyment of successful learning among the members of a school. It looks at how positive cultures can be constructed that support inclusive and exciting teaching, enthusiastic teachers and engaged students, parents and carers. Drawing on research, the book examines topics such as the nature of leadership, especially distributed and teacher leadership; the politics of education management; the construction of inclusive cultures in schools; school improvement; and the construction of collaborative and inclusive work groups. It uses a range of critical perspectives to examine processes of change and the relationships of people in school communities to each other and to their social, economic and policy contexts. The book argues that it is essential to develop inclusive education in order to promote student engagement, social justice and equity within formal education. Understanding Educational Leadership is key reading for teachers, headteachers, school leaders, policy makers, Education students and practitioners, and others who have an interest in improving schooling.

Just as culture is critical to understanding the dynamics behind any thriving community, organization, or business, the daily realities and deep structure of school life hold the key to educational success. Reforms that strive for educational excellence are likely to fail unless they are meaningfully linked to the school's unique culture. In Shaping School Culture, Terrence E. Deal and Kent D. Peterson show how leaders can harness the power of school culture to build a lively, cooperative spirit and a sense of school identity. The authors draw from over twenty years of research on school improvement as well as from their own extensive work with school leaders across the country to identify viable new strategies for effective school leadership. They describe the critical elements of culture--the purposes, traditions, norms, and values that guide and glue the community together--and show how a positive culture can make school reforms work. Deal and Peterson also explore the harmful characteristics of toxic cultures and suggest antidotes to negativity on the part of teachers, students, principals, or parents. Using real-life cases from their own research, Deal and Peterson provide concrete, detailed illustrations of exemplary practice in different school cultures. They reveal the key symbolic roles that leaders play in school change and identify the specific skills needed to change school culture successfully. Shaping School Culture provides an action blueprint for school leaders committed to transforming their schools for success.

Foundations of Educational Leadership provides a fresh and research-based perspective on educational leadership, exploring 10 specific aspects of ‘glocalization’ in which educational leaders must be literate in order to establish and sustain relevant and useful educational experiences for students in their schools. In addition to covering traditional concepts such as culture, instructional leadership, professional ethics, and politics, well-known authors Brooks and Normore also introduce several conventionally neglected, cutting edge concepts like spirituality, holistic health, and information leadership. This important book emphasizes how a framework of learning, literacy, leadership, and reflection is critical to the preparation and practice of educational leaders. Foundations of Educational Leadership ensures aspiring and practicing leaders will be prepared to influence processes and outcomes for creating a more just and equitable environment for all students. Key Features: Each chapter focuses on what leaders need to learn, the concepts with which they need to be literate, how to lead in the area, and aspects on which they should reflect. Discussion sections at the end of each chapter include prompts, questions, and activities suited for engaging ideas, alone, or with classmates. An eResource features additional resources and video content.

This expanded and thoroughly updated edition of the popular anthology assembles the best book excerpts, articles, and reports that define and drive the field of educational leadership today. Filled with critical insights from respected authors, education researchers, and expert practitioners, this comprehensive volume features twenty-six chapters in six primary areas of interest: Principles of Leadership, Moral Leadership, Culture and Change, Standards and Systems, Diversity and Leadership, and the Future of Leadership.

"The exploration of the intersection of leadership practices from the school principal and other educators, the school culture, and the school success across different high-need contexts and cultures make this volume unique. Chapters in this volume present original investigations or reanalysis of empirical research enhancing our understanding of the interrelationship between leadership, culture and success through descriptions of practice that can contribute to lessons in leadership for school improvement. When considering a culture of success, leadership that focuses on impacting schools in high-need areas bring about lessons on how to create sustainable environments for student learning in challenging contexts. High-need schools include not only socioeconomic challenges influencing the performance of students. It includes multiple external and internal factors impacting leaders, teachers, students, and their families, affecting the management of structures, processes, and most importantly, learning. In the quest to improve high-need schools, and understand strategies for principals dedicated to a variety of contexts, this volume brings lessons with application for researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners who want to join in the quest to improve the quality of education among worldwide communities"--

This powerful third edition offers fresh approaches that enable school leaders to engage in effective interactions with students, educators, and the communities they serve.

Set the tone for schoolwide success and watch student achievement soar! Heightened student achievement is cultivated in a safe, stimulating, and cooperative learning environment. This user-friendly guide provides principals ways to focus on creating a positive school climate and culture, realizing visionary leadership, embracing cultural diversity, and promoting school self-renewal. Both research based and rich with examples, this second volume of a seven-part series will instill confidence in new principals and renew the enthusiasm of veteran administrators. Its straightforward insights and proven best practices make it a one-stop resource for harnessing the power of school culture to boost morale and achievement while fostering a successful learning community schoolwide. This well-organized resource crystallizes key points for quick access and easy implementation through features such as: "Before We Get Started" questionnaire and response analysis Case study and accompanying reflective questions "What You Should Know About" section framing each chapter Self-assessment resource for determining effectiveness of cultural leadership Other titles in this leadership series: