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Schools That Deliver
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Schools That Deliver

Australia/UK Edition
  • John Edwards - St. Francis Xavier University, Canada, St. Francis Xavier University and Dalhousie University, Canada, Edwards Explorations
  • Bill Martin - Bill Martin and Associates

Foreword by Arthur L. Costa



April 2016 | 272 pages | Corwin

Deliver real change and real results for your school

This book focuses directly on what promotes delivery. It provides the practical tools and implementation guide for re-invigorating your school. Set against a solid blend of international research and international best practice, the narrative is carried by voices from schools across six countries that are currently delivering. They tell it how it is, in lived reality. Every process in the book has been tested and refined under the heat of practice, addressing the current realities in education.

The book provides a carefully selected repertoire of skills, models, and processes that:

  • Deliver results for children, teachers, school leaders, families, and their communities
  • Build trust through ensuring every voice is heard and respected
  • Develop a strong culture of leadership and alignment, while recognising and embracing the complexities of school change
  • Address the frustrations currently felt by teachers in a positive, productive way

Schools That Deliver fills the gap between intention and delivery. The book respects your voice, and your ability to create your own ways of delivering while remaining loyal to the unique personality of your school.

When members of a school community deliver together what really matters for their children, they feel the true joy of education, that splendid feeling of professional satisfaction and achievement that we all deserve.


 
Foreword by Arthur L. Costa
 
Acknowledgements
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
 
Voices
Our Learning Journey

 
Our Wording

 
 
Chapter 1. The Hidden Power of Alignment
All of Us Have a Stake in This

 
The Core of Change

 
That May Work for Individuals, But How About Teams?

 
Alignment in Schools and in Life

 
Explanatory Power: Two Models

 
Collaboration and Challenge

 
Alignment Versus Agreement

 
When Voices Are Heard That Are Usually Stilled

 
Introduction to Shared Visioning

 
Shared Vision Creation Process

 
A Year of 'Preparation for Action'

 
Designing the Long-Term School Development Plan

 
Identification of Core Values

 
Our Shared Vision as an Alignment Tool

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 2. The Real Work
Fresh Eyes

 
What Is Our 'Return on Investment' in Schools?

 
The Basis for the Curriculum

 
Our Life Lessons About the Real Work of Schools

 
So, What Do You Think Is Your Real Work?

 
Who Knows the Real Work? Social Constructivism

 
Staying Honest to the Real Work: Evidence-Based Decision Making

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 3. Leadership
Leadership as Disposition or Position?

 
Leading Versus Managing

 
The Eight Leadership Challenges

 
The Joy of Leadership

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 4. Authentic Action
Action Is What Matters

 
The Knowledge Base for Action

 
Openness to Learning and Confidence to Learn

 
Credibility and Credibility Killers

 
The High-Leverage Drivers of Authentic Action

 
What Does Whole School Accountability Look Like?

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 5. Core Values and Culture
Does Your School Live by Your Core Values?

 
A Culture of Ownership

 
A Culture of Inclusion

 
A Culture of Caring

 
A Culture of Trust

 
A Culture of Questioning

 
A Culture of Coaching

 
A Strong Adult Professional Culture

 
A Culture of Innovation

 
A Culture of Symbols

 
A Culture of Story

 
A Culture of Celebrating

 
Learning Journeys

 
Summary

 
 
Chapter 6. Schools Are Part of the Community
Balancing Life’s Complexities

 
Working Together

 
Family: The Parent/Caregiver as Learner

 
Parents as Partners in Their Child’s Learning

 
Thunderbolts Will Challenge Us All

 
Relationships With the Media

 
Mutually Productive Activities With the Wider Community

 
Summary

 
 
Appendices
Appendix 1. Consensus Building: Inquiry Probe Tools

 
Appendix 2. Sample Shared Visions and Research (Preparation for Action) Themes

 
Appendix 3. The Long-Term School Development Plan

 
Appendix 4. Sample Personal Visions

 
 
References
 
Index
Key features

The book provides a carefully selected repertoire of skills, models, and processes that:

  • Deliver results for children, teachers, school leaders, families, and their communities
  • Build trust through ensuring every voice is heard and respected
  • Develop a strong culture of leadership and alignment, while recognising and embracing the complexities of school change
  • Address the frustrations currently felt by teachers in a positive, productive way

This title is also available on SAGE Knowledge, the ultimate social sciences online library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.