Leading For Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation

(Paperback)

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At a time when Americas schools face many of the most difficult challenges ever, the authors of Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation return the reader to an agenda for democratic leadership for schools. Emphasizing the need for leadership preparation programs to reexamine existing and more traditional approaches to principal preparation, this comprehensive book draws to the foreground the need for a case-based approach that reflects the real-world problems and challenges faced by principals in schools today.

In particular, Leading for Democracy emphasizes both a case-based pedagogy for principal preparation and the democratic ideals that provide the foundation for democratic schools, bringing into specific relief the work ahead for professors of educational leaders in preparing principals ground in democratic practice. Equally important, Leading for Democracy provides practical insight to the challenges of todays principal, offering a set of pedagogical tools for professors to guide students of leadership in learning and understanding the difficult work required of leading democratically, set against the backdrop of a changing America.

Reviews

Lived democracy is a pivotal aspect of school life, and thus it must be also of school leadership, regardless of external pressure for measurable outcomes. In Leading for Democracy, we get a number of very inspiring cases taken from the complex lives of school principals to read and discuss and be better prepared to take on school leadership in the relational work with teachers, students and parents. -- Lejf Moos, president, European Educational Research Association, and professor, Institute for Education, Aarhus University, Copenhagen, Denmark
The art of leading schools in a manner that reinforces democratic principles is nurtured in this unique and inspiring book. The cases readers puzzle over demonstrate that school leadership is so much more than compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act. Bolstered by informative theory and research, each case presents real-world challenges from multiple perspectives, providing ample grist for follow-up analysis and discussion based on helpful guiding questions. Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation meets a critical need for leadership preparation programs to help their candidates grapple with the fundamental social justice issues of our time. -- S. David Brazer, PhD, Brazer Education Consulting LLC
With the myriad challenges in an era of neo-accountability, democratic leadership will not happen by chance in American schools. In such a crucial time, this relevant discourse forces readers to reflect upon and adjust their practices to be strategic in the aim for democratic-mindedness and implementation. Democratic leadership, as supported through this book, is not an eventit's a way of life! -- Cade Brumley Ph.D, assistant superintendent, DeSoto Parish Schools (Louisiana), and author of Leadership Standards in Action: The School Principal as Servant Leader
There are many calls to improve educational leadership preparation university programs. The book, Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation, provides a great tool to assist in that effort. It covers material crucial to todays educational leadership in an eloquent and powerful way. This book ought to be required reading for any program which professes to emphasize social justice. -- A. William Place Ph.D, director of doctoral studies, School of Education and Allied Professions, and associate professor, Department of Educational Leadership, The University of Dayton
The call of the educational leader is clear: to investigate, interrogate, and illuminate issues of social injustice, social inequity, and marginalization of diverse groups which threaten the prosperity of America's democratic promise. These are critical issues that the educational leader constantly bumps up against in one's daily work and must be prepared to address as public intellectuals while modeling democratic practice. Through the case study approach, the reader is challenged to bring theoretical and practical dimensions of one's leadership praxis into communion with the other to inform leadership decision making which results in socially just, socially equitable and liberating consequences. -- Nichole E. Bourgeois Ed.D, principal, Parkway High School, Bossier City, LA
The major priorities that should guide the preparation of educational leaders for their work of leading schools in a democratic society are teaching leaders to understand the inequities of our society, to serve as agents for social transformation, and to help each and every student learn and succeed! Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation is a powerful, rich array of eighteen complex, real-life scenarios that offers students a reflective catalyst to do just that (i.e., to develop the will and the skill to end oppression, to increase equity, and to make bold possibilities happen for all students)! -- Kathleen M. Brown, professor and chair of educational leadership, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The timely arrival of Leading for Democracy addresses the long-recognized disparateness between theory and the reality of leadership in PreK-12 schools. This case-based approach is spot on for preparing educational leaders in relevant ways that embrace practice-driven leadership and principles of adult learning. Each case brings forth differing perspectives that invite lively dialogue and refinement of empathy, ethical reasoning, and compassion. -- Julie Carlson, professor, department of educational leadership, Minnesota State University
Leading for Democracy: A Cased-based Approach to Principal Preparation is a must read for anyone who aspires to be an educational leader. Patrick Jenlink, Sandra Stewart, and Lee Stewart provide essential introspection and growth opportunities with their framework for case study. This is an important book for educational leaders. -- Jim S. Vaszauskas, associate superintendent for curriculum, instruction, and accountability,

For aspiring principals, Leading for Democracy, is a must read. The twetny-first century principalship offers more challenges than ever before. Schools are now guided more by policy than student learning. Important input from key stakeholders is often ignored as outcomes-based initiatives rule.

Engaging dialogue on issues of diversity, social justice, and equity are more than adhering to leadership standards or state mandates. And creating a transformative school culture that is inclusive is not just a moral imperative. It can provide a defining moment for leaders in terms of their core values, competing principles, and the real direction where schools should headed.

-- William Tyler Page, assistant professor and coordinator for the LEAD program, department of counseling, educational leadership, and school psychology, Rhode Island College
Perhaps more than ever before, instructional leaders must know how to deeply impact their schools in order to perpetuate our democratic society. Practicing democratic leadership requires educational leaders to be grounded in their beliefs so that dilemmas may result in purposeful decisions that reflect social justice, equity and diversity. Insightful yet practical, Leading for Democracy is a must read for both the aspiring and the seasoned principal. -- Dalane Bouillion Ed.D, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction, Spring Independent School District, Houston, Texas
The current obsession with testing and accountability tends to obscure crucial issues of democracy, social justice, and equity in our contemporary schools. But these issues continue to surface on a daily basis, and school leaders need to know how to meet the associated challenges. Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation provides a much-needed instructional tool for both practicing administrators and students of leadership that will assist them to recognize these issues when they arise, to understand them, and to ultimately act in appropriate ways when dealing with them. -- Jim Ryan, co-director of the Centre for Leadership and Diversity, Department of Theory and Policy Studies, The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Toronto, Canada
The case presentation allows the future educational leader insight into the 'dos' and 'don't' of decision making with respect to social justice, equity, and diversity within one's organization. Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation enables an educational leader to experience the multiple lens of decision making without stepping into the arena. The authors have arranged real life situations that future educational leaders can gain knowledge in decision making prior to being placed in that arena. This knowledge is priceless in understanding the many lenses incorporated in decision making. -- John Mastillo, superintendent, Blacklick Valley School District, Blacklick Valley, Pennsylvania
Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation is a resource for preparation programs as they explore issues of diversity. As a case-based approach to understanding diversity, this book challenges students to engage in, and think about, problems of practice through contemporary issues. As Americas schools become more diverse the authors challenge the reader to build a vision for success on the principles of equity for all. -- James Berry, executive director, National Council of Professors of Educational Administration and Professor of Educational Leadership, Eastern Michigan University
Leading for Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation, by Jenlink, Stewart and Stewart, constitutes a creative departure from traditional textbooks for the preparation of school leaders. For the most part books tend to contain information, literature and research addressing the various roles a principal plays in todays schools. On the contrary, Jenlink, Stewart, and Stewart take an innovative case-based approach that truly and effectively focuses on the highest goal of education, democracy. This book offers critical real-world cases that call for data-driven decision-making from highly committed and ethical school leaders who embrace equity, social justice and diversity. School leaders and professors of educational leadership will find an excellent and comprehensive treatment of contemporary social, curriculum and leadership issues that must be brought to the fore front and guide the preparation of future school leaders. -- Martha N. Ovando Ph.D, professor and L.D. Haskew Fellow, department of educational administration, The University of Texas at Austin
Principals need this timely re-examination of Dewey and democratic leadership in schools today. Too often, school leaders are being swallowed by a discursive path of unproven systematic panaceas designed to enhance numerical score achievement, devoid of human interaction and care. Reflection

Author Bio

Patrick M. Jenlink, EdD, is a professor of doctoral studies in the department of secondary education and educational leadership and the director of the Educational Research Center at Stephen F. Austin State University. He has authored numerous articles, guest edited journals, authored or co-authored numerous chapters in books, and edited or co-edited several books. His most recent books are Dialogue as a Collective Means of Design Conversation, Deweys Democracy and Education Revisited: Contemporary Discourses for Democratic Education an Leadership, and Equity Issues for Today's Educational Leaders: Meeting the Challenge of Creating Equitable Schools for All.

N. Lee Stewart, EdD, was a full-time assistant professor in the department of secondary education and educational leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he taught in the doctoral program and the principal preparation program. He served in the role of administrative academic advisor, principal, and curriculum director in Texas public schools ranging in size from 1A to 5A. His research interests included school climate, bully prevention, school size, advisory programs, and schools within schools.

Sandra Stewart, EdD, is currently a full-time assistant professor in the department of secondary education and educational leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she teaches in the principal preparation program. She spent seventeen years in public education as a teacher, administrative assistant, and principal. Her research interests include educational leadership, curriculum and instruction, educational reform, and social justice issues.