The Moral Imperative of School Leadership / Edition 1

by Michael Fullan

Overview

The time has come to change the context of school leadership!

The role of the principal is pivotal to systemic school change. That is the fundamental message in The Moral Imperative of School Leadership, which extends the discussion begun in Fullan's earlier publication, What’s Worth Fighting for in the Principalship? The author examines the moral purpose of school leadership and its critical role in "changing the context" in which the role is embedded. In this bold step forward, Fullan calls for principals to become agents as well as beneficiaries of the processes of school change. Concepts explored in-depth include:

• Why "changing the context" should be the main agenda for the principalship
• Why barriers to the principalship exist
• Why the principal should be seen as the COO (chief operating officer) of a school
• Why the role of the principal should figure more prominently within the system

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761938736
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/12/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Michael Fullan served as Premier Dalton Mc Guinty’s Special Policy Adviser in Ontario from 2003-2013. He received the Order of Canada (OC) in December 2012 and holds five honorary doctorates from universities around the world. His ‘interim autobiography’, Surreal Change, covers his work to 2018. Michael and his colleagues are now working diligently on field-based comprehensive system change in several countries. This work operates under the umbrella of what they call the ‘shared humanity paradigm’ —Equity, Engagement, Excellence—Deep change that integrates local (school and community), middle (district/regional), and state (policy) entities.

Fullan’s favorite method of learning is to partner with groups that are engaged with change; and to learn together with them. (And then to write another book about the experiences, and what was learned).

Michael Fullan’s latest books are: Nuance (2019), Spirit Work and the Science of Collaboration (with Mark Edwards, 2022), The Principal 2.0 (2023), and The Drivers (with Joanne Quinn, 2023).

For more information on books, articles, videos, podcasts please go to: www.michaelfullan.ca

Table of Contents

Foreword - John I. Goodlad
Preface
About the Author
Dedication
1. Changing the Context
The Public Schools We Need
The Principals and Teachers We Need
2. Barriers to School Leadership
Self-Imposed Barriers
System-Imposed Barriers
3. The Moral Imperative at the School Level
Level 1: Making a Difference in Individuals
Level 2: Making a Difference in the School
The Emerging Image of the Moral Imperative of the Principalship
4. Making a Difference Beyond the School
Level 3: Making a Difference Regionally
Level 4: School Leadership and Society
5. How to Get There: The Individual and the System
The Individual
The System
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Excellent book, not only for principals, but for all educators who believe that the 'moral imperative is in the hands of school leaders.'"

Education News

"This is a must read for any school leader interested in making a difference. Fullan goes to the core of what it takes to transform our schools and, not surprisingly, principals are at the center of the transformation. "

Vincent Ferrandino

"Fullan challenges all who work in education to rethink the critical role of the principal as school leader in the current era of accountability. With clarity and insight, he offers a series of strategies to reshape the culture and context of leadership in schools to create learning communities where both students and teachers can excel. "

Paul D. Houston

"As one has come to expect from this eminent writer, this is a highly readable, well structured, and accessible text that is above all positive. Indeed I have no doubt that many will find the work inspirational. "

Mark Brundrett

"As one has come to expect from this eminent writer this is a highly readable, well structured, and acceeible text that is above all postitive. Indeed...many will find the work inspirational. "

School Leadership and Management

"Without moral purpose, nothing of value is achieved. We learn how it is deployed effectively, and Fullan makes the difficult but important case that truly moral school leadership recognizes its obligations to the wider community and other schools, an argument that those of us pushing for collegiates will welcome. "

Time Magazines Educational Supplement

"Michael Fullan urges school leaders to move to a higher level of thinking and acting—to move beyond the concept of 'my school' and 'my district' to 'our schools' and 'our system.' The concept of acting with moral purpose resonates with educators who are frustrated by an overemphasis on accountability as defined by test scores. The dual goals of improving self and bringing others into a new vision of principal leadership is challenging and exciting. "

Betty Jo Monk

"Fullan shows how moral leadership can reinvent the principalship and bring about large-scale school improvement. This is a masterfully crafted and accessible book by North America's foremost expert on change. "

Thomas J. Sergiovanni

"The moral imperative sustains school leaders through times of fatigue and frustration. It is the driving force that keeps leaders advocating for the changes necessary to ensure both student and societal success. Fullan has challenged leaders to embrace a vision that reshapes the context of education. The Moral Imperative of School Leadership is a timely work that addresses many of the greatest educational challenges of our age. "

Tod Farmer

"The Moral Imperative of School Leadership is an important read for school leaders and system administrators, not so much because it provides a prescription for the future of public education, but more because it elevates the moral imperative of public schooling, and enshrines the view that effective school leadership must be driven from a deep moral purpose. "

Journal of Educational Administration

"Once again, the writing of Michael Fullan is a tour de force for those who toil in the vineyards of the school principalship. In this latest book, Fullan brings into clear focus the critical role of school leaders to "change the content" within schools—stressing the need to elevate the moral purpose of schooling in an era of accountability for academic achievement. Fullan makes the critical point—and sets an insightful direction—as to the equally important case for public schools to promote the personal and social development of students. Therein lies Fullan’s challenge to school principals. The Moral Imperative of School Leadership is a must read for those who want to make a difference! "

Gerald N. Tirozzi

"The Moral Imperative of School Leadership is a practical handbook for educators focusing on the pivotal role played by principals as agents of systematic change…Fullan appeals to something all educators have: the desire to do the right thing and the wish to make a difference. "

Education Review

"Without moral purpose, nothing of value is achieved. We learn how it is deployed effectively, and Fullan makes the difficult but important case that truly moral school leadership recognizes its obligations to the wider community and other schools, an argument that those of us pushing for collegiates will welcome. "

Times Educational Supplement

"Taking any and all schools from good to great demands the expertise of principals to build trust in the schools and larger system of schools. The Moral Imperative of School Leadership provides a starting point. "

Nancy Moga

"In an era of public accountability, Fullan rethinks the critical role of the principal with startling clarity and vision. His assertion that public schools require a moral purpose of the highest order is a call to action for future school administrators to ensure that ALL students learn and become successful citizens. "

Betty Flad