From School Improvement to Sustained Capacity

Frank Crowther - University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Foreword by Andy Hargreaves

Other Titles in:
Continuing Professional Development | Leadership | School Change, Reform, & Restructuring

May 2011 | 240 pages | Corwin

The definitive approach to achieving long-term school improvement

Will your school improvement plan stand the test of time? Bestselling author Frank Crowther makes a compelling case for capacity-building and parallel leadership as the keys to ensuring sustainable improvement. Based on a recent research study that examined how school leaders collaborated to enhance quality in their workplaces, this book:

- Outlines six research-based dynamics for accomplishing lasting results

- Provides real-life examples of successful parallel leadership among administrators, teachers, and students

- Demonstrates effective capacity building in a variety of settings with case studies and simulations

Everything you need to build a successful and sustainable plan that is rooted in enduring principles is right here, complete with practical examples and proven tools.

List of Tables

List of Figures

Foreword by Andy Hargreaves

Preface

Introduction

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1. The COSMIC C-B Approach: A Prelude

Introduction

COSMIC C-B in Brief

The School Research Origins of COSMIC C-B

The Phase A Research

The Phase B Research

The Phase C Research

Concluding Comment

2. The First C-B Dynamic: Committing to Revitalization

Introduction

A Snapshot of Committing to Revitalization: Carmichael Secondary College

Committing to Revitalization: Deepening Our Understanding

Leadership for Committing to Revitalization

Thinking Outside the Square: Al Gore and Committing to Revitalization

Conclusion

Committing to Revitalization: Building Personal Capacity

3. The Second C-B Dynamic: Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence

Introduction

A Snapshot of Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Bellwood Secondary School

Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Deepening Our Understanding

Organizational Coherence as Structural Alignment

Organizational Coherence as Cognitive Alignment

Organizational Coherence as Structural and Cognitive Alignment

Leadership for Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence

Thinking “Outside-the-Square”: Organizational Coherence When Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus

Conclusion

Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Building Personal Capacity

4. The Third C-B Dynamic: Seeking New Heights

Introduction

A Snapshot of Seeking New Heights: Carlo Maria Carafa High School

Seeking New Heights: Deepening Our Understanding

Leadership for Seeking New Heights

Summary

Seeking New Heights: Building Personal Capacity

5. The Fourth C-B Dynamic: Micro-Pedagogical Deepening

Introduction

A Snapshot of Micro-Pedagogical Deepening: Greenfield Elementary School

Thinking Outside the Square: The Grameen Way and Micro Pedagogical Deepening

Conclusion

Micro-Pedagogical Deepening – Building Personal Capacity

6. The Fifth C-B Dynamic: Invoking Reaction

Introduction

A Snapshot of Invoking Reaction: Eacham High School

Invoking Reaction: Deepening Our Understanding

Leadership for Invoking Reaction

Thinking Outside the Square: Médecins Sans Frontières and Invoking Reaction

Conclusion

Invoking Reaction: Building Personal Capacity

7. The Sixth C-B Dynamic: Consolidating Success

Introduction

A Snapshot of Consolidating Success: All Hallows Catholic Elementary School

Consolidating Success: Deepening Our Understanding

The Systemic Perspective on Consolidating Success

The Metanoia Perspective on Consolidating Success

The Culture Perspective on Consolidating Success

The Leadership Perspective on Consolidating Success

Consolidating Success: Steve “Crocodile Hunter”

Summary

Consolidating Success: Building Personal Capacity

8. Next Steps Along the Parallel Leadership C-B Pathway

Introduction

COSMIC C-B in Retrospect and Prospect

Parallel Leadership in Retrospect and Prospect

Conclusion

Appendix A: The IDEAS Project

Appendix B: The Research Design and Methodology

References

Index

"Our ability to build capacity in order to ensure student learning is paramount. This book takes us step-by-step through the process of building capacity, giving practical examples and offering simulations that any school leader can use to improve student learning."

David G. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

SAU #38, Swanzey, NH

“Crowther and his colleagues provide the most important volume to date about the critical place of “capacity-building’ in the role of sustaining school improvement. They have also crafted a masterful, and eminently useful, guide to reshape leadership in the service of sustained success.”

Joseph Murphy, Frank W. Mayburn Chair

Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN

"We yearn for sustainability, for without it, the future is bleak indeed. Frank Crowther and his associates have given us a uniquely integrated approach to sustainability. The ideas for meaningful work, questions for inquiry, case studies—in both educational and noneducational settings—and vivid simulations provide an accessible roadmap."

Linda Lambert, Ed.D., Author and Professor Emeritus

California State University, East Bay

"Frank Crowther and his associates show us deeply and clearly how to build the foundation for sustainability. They take us on a marvelous journey that weaves together a powerful conceptual framework, concrete snapshots of schools using the ideas, and tools and activities for getting there yourself. Engagement, clarity, and impact are at the core of this terrific book."

Michael Fullan, Professor and Author

University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Centre for Teacher Development

"A very detailed and informative book that will assist beginning and seasoned administrators in organizing and restructuring their schools to meet the needs of the 21st century."

Belinda J. Raines, Principal

Northwestern High School, Detroit, MI

"A fine survey on achieving long-term school improvement, from an author who makes a case for capacity building and parallel leadership as keys to sustainable improvement."

James A. Cox, Editor in Chief

Midwest Book Review, August 2011