The Challenge for School Leaders: A New Way of Thinking about Leadership

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The Challenge for School Leaders identifies essential systems and their elements that enhance the school leaders knowledge and skill to continually improve the academic program through a faculty collaborative process. The critical systems addressed are system elements, communication, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and collaborative decision making to determine causes of nonproductive systems and solutions to remove and solve these issues. The text includes a pre- and post-school assessment survey process that involves the faculty and administrators in evaluating their school, and identifying critical areas that need improvement. This survey has been statistically affirmed for high reliability and validity with respect to academic system behaviors correlated with high academic student performance. The continual improvement philosophy is the foundation of this text and collaboration is the method by which this concept is achieved. The value of each person is critical, and everyone is needed to improve the academic systems to serve the needs of the students and the faculty. The communication linkage system as well as curriculum-instruction-assessment integration is addressed and is essential to the improvement process. The analysis and improvement of the instructional process is the key to enhancing student academic performance. The concepts and practical suggestions along with the knowledge and skills to build an effective academic system for students is the aim of this study.

Reviews

Dr.Warwicks passion for the importance of educational leadership is evident in this book that presents W. Edwards Demings work of continual improvement in a relevant, practical manner. Recognizing that leaders and staff members are at the core of school improvement, Dr. Warwick brings the merits of inclusive collaboration and data analysis to the forefront. His ideas are steeped in educational research while focusing on immediate, practical application to get results. -- Patricia Planic, principal, B. J. Hooper Elementary School, District 41, Lake Villa, IL
For anyone who knows Dr. Warwick, he is the antithesis of the status quo. Ron has spent a career echoing the constant need for educational improvement. This book is a blueprint to the necessary changes we must all embrace if our educational system in America is to improve. With conviction and passion, Dr. Warwick challenges us to make the substantive changes we desperately need in education today. -- Michael Roberts, superintendent of schools, McHenry High School District 156, McHenry, IL
Warwick nails the needs of todays leading leaders. Data is now in hand to direct the learning in our schools. This book systematically leads educators to rethink, review and restructure the learning of our students based upon data relating to each students needs. A must read for leaders and deliverers of learning in the classrooms. -- D. William Dodds, executive director, Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum development, Illinois State University, Normal, IL
There is a myriad of demands placed on educational leaders today. Because of this, knowing where to start can be an overwhelming task for many. Dr. Warwick helps educational leaders navigate the complex process of improving school and providing excellent educational experiences for our children by teaching them how to focus on continually refining the key systems that comprise their schools via the continual improvement philosophy. His knowledge in this field is second to none and his insight is valuable to anyone who has been given the incredible responsibility of leading a school or school district. -- Josh Reitz, assistant superintendent, McHenry Elementary School, District 15, McHenry, IL
As a new principal in a public high school, this book offers exactly what I need! This fresh take on school leadership offers a concise explanation of the challenges todays school leaders face. The book is a brilliant application of the continual improvement process and presents valuable strategies to bring about institutional change. The Challenge for School Leaders is the perfect solution for leaders wanting to make a difference in the lives of young people through better schools. -- Jonathan L. Guillaume, principal ,Vernon Hills High School, Community High School District 128, Lake County, IL
As a current principal of an elementary school, I find the information in this book to be highly relevant and useful in fulfilling my leadership mission. The philosophy of continual improvement is a critical approach to ensure the continued success of a school, by way of analyzing performance results, identifying challenges and implementing solutions. This book provides guidance on applying and maintaining communication processes that build collaborative professional relationships, along with a practical approach to establishing vital systems that set the stage for effective instruction and student success. As a practitioner, I really appreciate the contemporary leadership methodology! -- Ana Fuhrer, principal,Village Elementary School, Round Lake Area Schools, District 116, Round Lake, IL

Author Bio

Ron Warwick is professor of Educational Leadership at Concordia University: Chicago. He has been a high school math teacher, public school administrator, university professor and administrator. He has presented and consulted throughout the U.S., Europe and Korea over the past 50 years.