The School Improvement Planning Handbook: Getting Focused For Turnaround And Transition,Used

ReviewThe school improvement process can seem daunting to even the most seasoned administrator. Many school districts are focusing on turning struggling schools toward increased achievement. However, deciding where to start, what to include, and how to address the needs of a school community remains extremely challenging. So, how should school leaders approach the improvement process and how do we turn schools around? The authors of The School Improvement Planning Handbook provide readers with a framework for developing specific strategies that may pave the way for success. . . .While the book is much more than a 'handbook,' its handbook format makes it very user friendly. . . .The School Improvement Planning Handbook is ideal for principals looking to invigorate the improvement process, or for any school leader interested in developing a 'living' school improvement plan. New principals should find the sevenstep process described in section one as an excellent guide for structuring a comprehensive plan. The authors intended their book to be 'a practical book for practitioners.' Their focus on reallife examples and researchbased best practices makes it just that. PrincipalIn the age of many ideas on thoughts on educational reform this book could not have come at a more opportune time. This book provides invaluable information to school leaders by providing proven strategies and case studies from the practitioners in the field who are improving their schools and increasing achievement. These authors clearly articulate how school leaders can initiate and sustain meaningful change that will have a profound impact on school culture. Eric Sheninger, principal at New Milford High School (NJ)From start to finish this book offers tangible ways for todays leaders to improve their schools. This handbook is bound to be a must have in any leaders toolbox for school improvement. Jayson W. Richardson, assistant professor, University of KentuckyEducation, like anything else, requires effective leadership to be successful. Schools need the high performance only planning can provide. This book uses effective leadership to guide schools in planning for success. Martin Cain, retired professor of financial managementDespite calls for school improvement coming from nearly all directions, school leaders often struggle to find practical guidance for facilitating the process. Duke ,Carr and Sterrett have helped fill that important gap with this important, handson approach. Leaders truly committed to authentic, meaningful and sustainable school improvement will benefit from this practical and accessible book. Nicholas J. Pace, professor and chair, University of NebraskaLincoln Department of Educational Administration, & coauthor, The Principals Hot Seat: Observing RealWorld Dilemmas (2nd ed.)Attaining genuine and meaningful school improvement is an exceedingly difficult process, and not for the faint of heart. Dan Duke, Marsha Carr, and Bill Sterrett have provided an instrument that all school leaders can relate to and appreciate. The thought provoking casestudies are immensely valuable and 'spot on' in terms of applying multiple data sources and a process orientation, to the heavy work associated with school improvement. School Improvement Planning Handbook is a breath of fresh air within a misguided environment that seeks quick fixes and easy solutions to very difficult problems. David C. JeckThe school improvement process is an annual necessity for schools, yet it often remains a difficult process for school leaders and staff. This book will help you get beyond the lengthy discussions about school problems, and enable teams to focus on actions that will lead to tangible improvements for students. This is a book that will help plans become meaningful actions. Curt Rees, elementary school principal in WisconsinIf developing a plan to school improvement has distressed your organization in the past, this bo