The primary purpose of this study is to learn from the experiences of schools across the U.S. that are engaged in a largely process-oriented reform strategy. Schools vary in their capacity for productive self-reflection. The authors examine the process of self-assessment that many schools engaged in during this time of widespread public attention to the equlaity of schools. The schools examined in these cases reveal a complex interaction between the nature of the self-reflective activity the schools were engaged in (in this case, a National Education Association school review process entitled KEYS to Success in Schools), the contexts that shape the school, and the readiness on the part of school staff to engage in systematic reflection around issues that affect teaching and learning.

The act of self-reflection in schools may not provide, by itself, a source of new ideas, alternative models, and a sense of what might be possible for the school to accomplish. Some external agent can often provide the impetus for (or constrain) the actions of school staffs in examining their programs and capacity for renewal. The acts and outcomes of self-reflection are inevitably guided and/or constrained by various contexts (including the school's history, culture, structure, and supports and pressures provided from communities, districts, and states).

In The Kindness of Strangers, Deni Elliott examines ethically questionable situations that have arisen in response to institutional dependency on external benefactors. Major concerns analyzed include: The increased professionalism of fundraising and of donating, an increased willingness of institutions to cater to the demands of donors, creation of dual roles for faculty, students and staff when they are fundraisers and donors in addition to playing their primary roles in higher education, business-university research partnerships that put business values in conflict of academic values and mission, commercialization of student athletics, and endowment use and investment. Supplemented by a series of carefully selected articles, The Kindness of Strangers needs to be read by anyone who is concerned by higher education's increasing dependency on corporate and individual donors.

"This important book explores the fundamental reasons why our secondary schools look and work in the ways that they do, and synthesizes a substantial body of research in a highly readable form. It should be part of every secondary administrator?s bookshelf and every university?s preparation program."
Karen Seashore Louis, Professor and Director
Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

For too long, high school reform has been based on concepts and philosophies with no undergirding in solid research. Murphy and his colleagues have changed all that as they discuss how reform based on empirical evidence and a robust set of theories can create productive high schools for all students.

The authors focus on core technologies of learning and teaching, organizational systems, and the institutional linkages between schools and their environments. Using current research and case studies from successful schools, they show how to construct models of learning-driven school communities that encourage excellence. The analysis focuses on classroom dynamics of engaged learning and teaching and the necessary steps to create a personalized academic high school.

Key concepts cover:

• Defining the learning imperative
• Developing humanized and intellectual relationships for learning
• Laying the groundwork for dynamic, adaptive change
• Building linkages with home and family

The Productive High School offers a clear, concise understanding of what it will take to achieve meaningful learning. Practicing educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and concerned citizens will find this a valuable and comprehensive resource of high school reform that works.

Building on research conducted for their previous book, School-Based Management as School Reform, the authors of volume report on their investigation of a site-based managed urban elementary school and its attempts to implement reform. On the basis of their findings, they propose four imperative' conditions for the school's success. The authors conclude with general thoughts on site-based management and school reform, and offer ideas on policies, structures and professional development that they believe could enhance positive educational change.

In the book, Joseph Murphy and Lynn G Beck provide a clear understanding of the organizational form, operating characteristics and outcomes of School-Based Management (SBM) in the United States. Following an examination of the definitions, premises and types of SBM, the authors consider its historical perspective and then examine evidence of SBM in the current education reform era. The book concludes with a look at the effects of and lessons learned from the implementation of SBM.

In recent years, students and practitioners of educational administration have expressed concern over the increasing number and complexity of ethical dilemmas confronting school leaders. The authors of this book examine various university programmes implemented by 42 educational administration departments, designed to discover how to equip students to deal with such challenges.

Ethics in Educational Leadership Programs will prove invaluable reading for those concerned with the nature of ethics and values in school administration.

"This important book explores the fundamental reasons why our secondary schools look and work in the ways that they do, and synthesizes a substantial body of research in a highly readable form. It should be part of every secondary administrator?s bookshelf and every university?s preparation program."
Karen Seashore Louis, Professor and Director
Center for Applied Research and Educational Improvement
College of Education and Human Development
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

For too long, high school reform has been based on concepts and philosophies with no undergirding in solid research. Murphy and his colleagues have changed all that as they discuss how reform based on empirical evidence and a robust set of theories can create productive high schools for all students.

The authors focus on core technologies of learning and teaching, organizational systems, and the institutional linkages between schools and their environments. Using current research and case studies from successful schools, they show how to construct models of learning-driven school communities that encourage excellence. The analysis focuses on classroom dynamics of engaged learning and teaching and the necessary steps to create a personalized academic high school.

Key concepts cover:

• Defining the learning imperative
• Developing humanized and intellectual relationships for learning
• Laying the groundwork for dynamic, adaptive change
• Building linkages with home and family

The Productive High School offers a clear, concise understanding of what it will take to achieve meaningful learning. Practicing educators, parents, policymakers, researchers, and concerned citizens will find this a valuable and comprehensive resource of high school reform that works.

Building on research conducted for their previous book, School-Based Management as School Reform, the authors of volume report on their investigation of a site-based managed urban elementary school and its attempts to implement reform. On the basis of their findings, they propose four imperative' conditions for the school's success. The authors conclude with general thoughts on site-based management and school reform, and offer ideas on policies, structures and professional development that they believe could enhance positive educational change.

In recent years, students and practitioners of educational administration have expressed concern over the increasing number and complexity of ethical dilemmas confronting school leaders. The authors of this book examine various university programmes implemented by 42 educational administration departments, designed to discover how to equip students to deal with such challenges.

Ethics in Educational Leadership Programs will prove invaluable reading for those concerned with the nature of ethics and values in school administration.