Leading Learning: Change Student Achievement Today! Book

List of Tables ix

List of Resources x

Preface xi

Who Will Benefit From This Book? xiii

How Is the Book Organized? xiii

What Are the Special Features? xiv

Reflection xiv

Acknowledgment xv

About the Author xvii

1 Introduction and Background 1

How Did the Research Begin? 1

Why Interview Research? 2

Who Participated in the Interviews? 3

What Actions Do These Leaders Take? 4

Reflection 10

Helpful Terms 10

2 Focus the Culture on Learning: Make Decisions for Student Learning 11

Leader in Action: Paula St. Francis, Rimfire Elementary School 13

Leader in Action: Les Potter, Silver Sands Middle School 15

Leader in Action: Carol Moore, Osceola High School 16

Leader in Action: Cynthia Dodge, Lake Silver Elementary and Special School 18

Reflection 20

Practical Tips 20

Trends in Focusing Culture on Learning and Making Decisions For Learning 21

Helpful Terms 21

3 Stimulate Intellectual Growth 25

Leader in Action: Linda Roman, Fort Wayne Community Schools 28

Leader in Action: Dale Moxley, Round Lake Charter Elementary School 28

Leader in Action: Harold Border, Hunter's Creek Middle School 29

Leader in Action: Janie Phelps, Orange Country Public Schools 30

Reflection 31

Practical Tips 32

Trends in Stimulating Intellectual Growth 33

Helpful Terms 34

Resources for Leaders 35

4 Invest Personally in the Change 35

Leader in Action: Paul Sansom, Adairville K-8 School 38

Leader in Action: Donald Fennoy, Phillip O. Berry Academy of Technology 40

Leader in Action: Bill Vogel, Seminole County Public Schools 41

Reflection 43

Practical Tips 43

Trends in Making a Personal Investment43

Helpful Terms 45

5 Collborate to Optimize Success 46

Leader in Action: Principals, Citrus County Middle School 50

Leader in Action: Todd Trimble, Legacy Middle School 52

Leader in Action: Mike Armbruster, Ocoee High School 53

Leader in Action: UCF-Progress Energy Leadership Institute 54

Reflection 55

Practical Tips 56

Trends in Collaboration 56

Helpful Terms 57

6 Strategize for Consistency 58

Leader in Action: Nancy Simon, Central Ridge Elementary School 62

Leader in Action: Jaime Quinones, Shafter High School 63

Leader in Action: Tom Curry, Citrus County Schools 65

Reflection 67

Practical Tips 67

Trends in Strategizing for Consistency 67

Helpful Terms 68

7 Let the Data Speak: Then Take Action 69

Leader in Action: Barrett Nelson, Lewisburg K-8 School 72

Leader in Action: Connie Collins, Crooms Academy of Information Technology 74

Leader in Action: Van Mitchell, Colonial High School 75

Leader in Action: Anna Marie Cote, Seminole County Public Schools 77

Reflection 79

Practical Tips 79

Trends in Data-Based Decision Making 79

Helpful Terms 80

8 Engage Families in Learning 81

Leader in Action: Gonzalo La Cava, Oakshire Elementary School 83

Leader in Action: Nancy Velez, Leesburg High School 84

Leader in Action: Grant Rivera, South Cobb High School 86

Leader in Action: Peter Gorman, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools 88

Reflection 89

Practical Tips 89

Trends in Engaging Families in Learning 89

Helpful Terms 90

9 Influence Through the Political Environment 91

Principals and the District Political Environment 92

District Leaders 92

Leader in Action: Carol Kelly, New Smyrna Beach High School 93

Leader in Action: Beverly Perrault, Wicklow Elementary School 94

Leader in Action: Pam Tapley, St. Cloud High School 94

Leader in Action: Barbara Jenkins, Orange County Public Schools 95

Reflection 96

Practical Tips 97

Trends in Leveraging the Political Environment 98

Helpful Terms 98

10 Reflections on Leading Learning for Second-Order Change 99

Curriculum 100

Instruction 101

Assessment 104

Concluding Thoughts 104

Resource A Principal Interview Protocol 108

Resource B District Leader Interview Protocol 114

Resource C Guidelines for Collaborative Sessions, Rimfire Elementary School 119

Resource D Team Meeting Notes, Hunter's Creek Middle School 120

Resource E Leadership Team, Crystal River High School 2007-2008 122

Resource F Walkthrough Comment Card, Citrus County School 124

Resource G Ridgeback Reflections, Central Ridge Elementary School 126

Resource H Excerpts From Attendance Policy, Leesburg High School 127

References 128

Index 130