Leading Curriculum Improvement: Fundamentals for School Principals

(Paperback)

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Description

This book offers clear guidance for facilitating curriculum improvement at the building level. It includes real-life scenarios that principals encounter, accompanied by strategies to help schools sustain focus on student learning and continuous organizational development. It is aimed at current and prospective administrators looking to update or refresh their understandings of curriculum leadership fundamentals. Its actionable ideas and useful examples can be applied across multiple school subjects and grade levels. Its practical overviews center on seven questions essential to planning, coordinating, overseeing, and supporting collective improvement efforts:

Which big ideas set the stage for curriculum leadershipHow can leaders help focus the curriculumWhen is curriculum mapping usefulWhat are other curriculum support strategiesWhere do more integrated models come inWhat about alternatives to standardized curriculaWhy do philosophy & political leadership matter
Though principal is used as shorthand, the concepts and tools highlighted are equally relevant to the work of teacher leaders, instructional coordinators, central office personnel, and others interested in PreK-12 curriculum improvement.

Reviews

Marilyn Tallerico has written a worthwhile primer on curriculum for school principals and other school leaders. In this book she concisely summarizes the literature about best practices in curriculum development and covers a broad range of theoriessome of which are in significant tension with each other. Tallerico points out those tensions and discusses the practical concerns that face administrators as they try to make decisions about what might work best in their particular circumstances. -- Dr. Abe Feuerstein, Associate Dean of Faculty, College of Arts and Sciences, Bucknell University
Marilyn Tallerico has done a marvelous job of describing the role and pathways that Curriculum Directors and Principals need to consider when they set out to lead curriculum change. This book will serve as a valuable training tool for school leaders attempting to lead the curriculum development process. -- Sanford Nelson, NAESP 2010 National Distinguished Principal, Rossman Elementary School, MN
I found this book to be very readable and would have enjoyed having it as one of my textbooks when I was working on my certification as an administrator. This book can be used by those who are studying to become administrators as well as by practicing principals who want to update their knowledge of setting curriculum directions. -- Ruth G. King, NAESP 2010 National Distinguished Principal (retired), Homer Elementary School, Homer, NY

Author Bio

Marilyn Tallerico, PhD, is professor of education at Binghamton University, State University of New York, where she coordinates the Educational Leadership Program. Prior to her university work, she served 12 years in PreK-12 public schools as a central office curriculum director, a coordinator of bilingual and English-as-a-Second Language programs, and a Spanish teacher.