In face of increased scrutiny on the preparation of educational leaders, this book provides a much-needed resource, exploring the role and use of authentic performance assessment for evaluating leader readiness and performance. Framed by theory and research on school leader performance assessment, Designing Performance Assessments for School Leader Readiness provides an in-depth description of one fully tested performance assessment called the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PAL). The authors explore how to assess four components of leadership proficiency -- developing a plan for an area of school improvement, creating a professional learning culture among school staff, supporting individual teacher development, and engaging families and community in improving student learning. This book provides real examples and practical guidance on designing and managing performance assessment for aspiring educational leaders, and how the PAL can be used in regional, state and local contexts.

School Leader Internship, 5th Edition, challenges aspiring educational leaders and interns to better assess, prepare, plan, implement, and evaluate their internship experience in preparation for certification, licensure, and advancement into school building-level leadership positions. In this updated edition, the content is organized around the latest National Education Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards and includes intern activities that develop skills in essential areas including ethics, equity and cultural responsiveness, curriculum development, community of care, support of teachers and staff, school partnerships, and continuous school improvement. This unique book provides step-by-step guidance for interns, their supervisors, and faculty on how to initiate an internship and evaluate interns' work and is a critical resource for leadership preparation programs nationwide and the thousands of school districts that support leadership candidates. Special Features: The National Education Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards Assessment provides an understanding of the wide breadth of experience and demonstration of skills necessary for school leaders. Self and Superior Assessment helps students to plan according to individual need, experience, goals, and performance expectations. Internship Plans allow students to assess, analyze, and prepare draft individualized internship plans. Professional Report or Portfolio encourages students to evaluate and reflect on their experiences and plan for the future.

In face of increased scrutiny on the preparation of educational leaders, this book provides a much-needed resource, exploring the role and use of authentic performance assessment for evaluating leader readiness and performance. Framed by theory and research on school leader performance assessment, Designing Performance Assessments for School Leader Readiness provides an in-depth description of one fully tested performance assessment called the Performance Assessment for School Leaders (PAL). The authors explore how to assess four components of leadership proficiency -- developing a plan for an area of school improvement, creating a professional learning culture among school staff, supporting individual teacher development, and engaging families and community in improving student learning. This book provides real examples and practical guidance on designing and managing performance assessment for aspiring educational leaders, and how the PAL can be used in regional, state and local contexts.

School Leader Internship, 5th Edition, challenges aspiring educational leaders and interns to better assess, prepare, plan, implement, and evaluate their internship experience in preparation for certification, licensure, and advancement into school building-level leadership positions. In this updated edition, the content is organized around the latest National Education Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards and includes intern activities that develop skills in essential areas including ethics, equity and cultural responsiveness, curriculum development, community of care, support of teachers and staff, school partnerships, and continuous school improvement. This unique book provides step-by-step guidance for interns, their supervisors, and faculty on how to initiate an internship and evaluate interns' work and is a critical resource for leadership preparation programs nationwide and the thousands of school districts that support leadership candidates. Special Features: The National Education Leadership Preparation (NELP) Standards Assessment provides an understanding of the wide breadth of experience and demonstration of skills necessary for school leaders. Self and Superior Assessment helps students to plan according to individual need, experience, goals, and performance expectations. Internship Plans allow students to assess, analyze, and prepare draft individualized internship plans. Professional Report or Portfolio encourages students to evaluate and reflect on their experiences and plan for the future.

With dwindling funds and resources, tougher state and federal standards, and fatigue from more regulations and testing, many school administrators are giving up _or 'crashing' and leaving their posts. This book examines the process of preparing, encouraging, and retaining quality leaders at the school and district levels. Beginning with a chapter outlining six steps of critical organizational supports, subsequent chapters address factors in preparing administrator candidates effectively; improving novice teacher retention through principal support and mentoring; utilizing more fully mid-career teachers who come to schools having worked outside of education; the role of isolation in new principals' sense of efficacy; research findings about assistant superintendents about job satisfaction, efficacy, and ambitions for promotion; and finally, contemporary leadership challenges existing at the superintendent level. Concluding with thoughts about administrator accountability, the various chapters offer contemporary views on the preparation, utilization, and retention of school administrators throughout the life cycle. The chapters provide needed insight into what should and must be done to grow the best leaders for US schools.

Research and Educational Leadership is the first book to directly address the implications of the National Research Council's (NRC's) Scientific Research in Education (2002) in the fields of educational leadership and school administration. This text points out the strengths and weaknesses of the NRC's recommendations and specifically identifies areas that are not likely to lead to either theoretical or practical advances in practice or new knowledge if the NRC's guidelines become dominant in determining the value of research. Research and Educational Leadership is an invaluable tool in rethinking how research is conducted in educational leadership and how public and private funding agencies should view research proposals for improving leadership practices in schools. It is also a key resource for teaching researchers to think more deeply about school leadership as they engage in dissertation research. Practitioners will also find the work an important reference in understanding what kinds of research are likely to promote improved comprehension of leadership practices and social justice.

With dwindling funds and resources, tougher state and federal standards, and fatigue from more regulations and testing, many school administrators are giving up _or 'crashing' and leaving their posts. This book examines the process of preparing, encouraging, and retaining quality leaders at the school and district levels. Beginning with a chapter outlining six steps of critical organizational supports, subsequent chapters address factors in preparing administrator candidates effectively; improving novice teacher retention through principal support and mentoring; utilizing more fully mid-career teachers who come to schools having worked outside of education; the role of isolation in new principals' sense of efficacy; research findings about assistant superintendents about job satisfaction, efficacy, and ambitions for promotion; and finally, contemporary leadership challenges existing at the superintendent level. Concluding with thoughts about administrator accountability, the various chapters offer contemporary views on the preparation, utilization, and retention of school administrators throughout the life cycle. The chapters provide needed insight into what should and must be done to grow the best leaders for US schools.

Research and Educational Leadership is the first book to directly address the implications of the National Research Council's (NRC's) Scientific Research in Education (2002) in the fields of educational leadership and school administration. This text points out the strengths and weaknesses of the NRC's recommendations and specifically identifies areas that are not likely to lead to either theoretical or practical advances in practice or new knowledge if the NRC's guidelines become dominant in determining the value of research. Research and Educational Leadership is an invaluable tool in rethinking how research is conducted in educational leadership and how public and private funding agencies should view research proposals for improving leadership practices in schools. It is also a key resource for teaching researchers to think more deeply about school leadership as they engage in dissertation research. Practitioners will also find the work an important reference in understanding what kinds of research are likely to promote improved comprehension of leadership practices and social justice.