The Principal as Data-Driven Leader

by Ontario Principals' Council

Overview

"This series allows school principals to integrate theory and practice themselves, resulting in highly insightful and practical strategies that will make a difference in schools. Practitioners: lead thyselves!"
—Michael Fullan, Professor Emeritus
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

"Avoiding high-flown theory on the one hand and mere bullet points on the other, these books represent the best that highly expert leaders have to offer—intellectually informed ideas about how to deal with the compelling practical issues of principalship."
—Andy Hargreaves, Thomas More Brennan Chair in Education
Boston College

"This series of little volumes provides a valuable resource for new principals who would become accomplished instructional leaders and seasoned principals looking to strengthen their leadership capacity."
—Roland S. Barth, Founding Director
Harvard Principals′ Center

"Addresses some of the most important challenges facing school leaders today. The authors bring a remarkable combination of deep, practical experience and academic sophistication to these challenges."
—Ken Leithwood, Professor
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

A proven process for demonstrating and communicating school improvements!

As the call for educational accountability increases, so does the importance of data. This practical guide, part of the Leading Student Achievement series, helps school leaders use evidence to shape, revise, and assess instructional reform.

Focusing on the significance of data in the development of realistic solutions to specific educational issues, this resource defines four types of data and helps principals: 

• Understand their role as leader, communicator, and professional developer for data-driven reform
• Introduce the use of data into the school improvement planning cycle
• Create a team to gather relevant, valid, and comprehensive data

With brainstorming templates, case studies, and planning forms for embedding data use into a school′s culture, The Principal as Data-Driven Leader helps schools start on a journey to genuine accountability and demonstrable gains in student performance.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452293844
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	12/03/2008
Series:	Leading Student Achievement Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	160
File size:	10 MB

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. School Improvement Planning
The International Drive for Accountability in Education
School Improvement Planning for Student Achievement
Summary
2. The Dimensions of the Principal as Data-Driven Leader
The Principal as Leader
The Principal as Professional Developer
The Principal's Role as Communicator
Summary
3. Introducing Data-Based School Improvement
Convincing School Staff
Working With Leadership Teams
Making Data Use Explicit
Summary
4. Finding Reliable, Valid, and Comprehensive Data
Types of Data
Intersecting Data
Defining Data Types With Your Staff
Summary
5. The Data-Driven School Improvement Planning Cycle
The School Improvement Planning Cycle
In-School Application and Practice
Ensuring That Evidence Is Valid and Complete
Summary
6. Embedding the Cycle in the School′s Culture
Facilitating Success
Adding to the Tool Kit
Summary
Educator Tool Kit
Glossary
References
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This series of publications addresses some of the most important improvement challenges facing school leaders today. The authors of the series bring a remarkable combination of deep, practical experience and academic sophistication to these challenges. The series should be required reading for all school leaders. "

Ken Leithwood

This series of little volumes offers a plethora of rich ideas ranging from practice and specific methods right down to easy-to-use worksheets. It provides a valuable resource for new principals who would become accomplished instructional leaders and also for seasoned principals looking to strengthen their leadership capacity.

Roland S. Barth

At last, a series of outstanding books by practicing administrators, for practicing principals. Avoiding high-flown theory on the one hand and mere lists of bullet points on the other, these books represent the best that highly expert leaders have to offer—intellectually informed ideas about how to deal with the compelling practical issues of principalship. Getting down from the ivory tower and stepping out of the principal’s office, these authors offer some of the most important and useful books about leadership that principals can buy.

Andy Hargreaves

This is a great series that allows school principals to integrate theory and practice themselves, resulting in highly insightful and practical strategies that will make a difference in schools. Practitioners: lead thyselves!

Michael Fullan