Product Description: The Principal as Staff Developer shows principals how to improve their schools through improving the effectiveness of their staff. Former high school principal Richard DuFour outlines the building administrator s major role in every phase of staff development, from getting staff motivated for new programs to evaluating the results...read more

Product Description: Creating the New American School: A Principal's Guide to School Improvement, by Richard DuFour and Robert Eaker, synthesizes research on the nation's exemplary learning organizations to outline powerful, practical means of managing change and improvement in schools.

Provides recommendations on ways to improve school performance.

Explore three defining challenges that school teams face when gathering, interpreting, and utilizing school data. This book introduces data teams to the essential definitions and descriptions of data types and offers methods for gathering school data, including survey questions for efficient data collection, group work structures, strategies, and tools to turn data-based decisions into goal-oriented, productive action plans. This compelling guide will help you confront data obstacles and turn struggling committees into powerful communities of learners. Benefits Apply each chapter s content with the Exercise Your Learning sections to successfully use and interpret school data. Learn more about each chapter s topic in the Extend Your Learning sections, which suggest additional websites and resources for data-based discussions. Discover relevant, team-related anecdotes in each chapter s Data Story. Contents 1 Developing Cultures of Collaborative Inquiry 2 Introducing the Collaborative Learning Cycle 3 Avoiding Reality Wars 4 Knowing the Data Fundamentals 5 Developing High-Performing Groups 6 Moving From Dialogue to Discussion to Decision Making 7 Evolving Decisions Into Action References and Resources

Product Description: Whatever It Takes: How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don't Learn examines the question, What happens when, despite our best efforts in the classroom, a student does not learn?A professional learning community creates a school-wide system of interventions that provides all students with additional time and support when they experience difficulty in their learning...read more

Product Description: Whatever It Takes: How Professional Learning Communities Respond When Kids Don't Learn examines the question, What happens when, despite our best efforts in the classroom, a student does not learn?A professional learning community creates a school-wide system of interventions that provides all students with additional time and support when they experience difficulty in their learning...read more

A professional development resource provides the knowledge and instructional tools to improve teaching and learning in reading.

Finalist--Association of Educational Publishers 2012 Distinguished Achievement AwardJust as it takes discipline to successfully run a marathon or to master a musical instrument, effective leadership in a professional learning community (PLC) requires more than simply trying harder: it requires training. In The Five Disciplines of PLC Leaders, Dr. Kanold provides a complete, focused system of practices for honing personal leadership skills in the five areas that will have the greatest impact on a school organization's success. PLC leaders must create a compelling vision, allow autonomy within defined boundaries, lead by serving, manage their personal energy levels, and inspire others to create a legacy of excellence. Dr. Kanold digs deep into the critical questions leaders must ask themselves and the practices they must master and model for others. Using research and decades of experiences working in PLCs, he shows leaders how to develop their own leadership skills while also helping others build leadership capacity. This rich resource includes reflection exercises and study guides to help readers find their own path toward effective PLC leadership. Benefits * Helps educators to clarify their personal vision for the PLC and align daily practices with their goals * Explores strategies for cultivating individual and team-level autonomy within a culture of accountability and high expectations * Shows how to create a culture of service that begins with the leader * Explains how to lead a balanced work life that energizes self and others * Describes how to foster networks of commitment within the community