Transformational Leadership & Decision Making in Schools / Edition 1

by Robert E. Brower, Bradley V. Balch

Overview

Helps school leaders re-center their decision making on student achievement, mission, and goal alignment. Covers self-assessment, reflective thinking, vision and mission, motivation, and barriers to decision making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412914871
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	04/13/2005
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Dr. Robert Brower is superintendent for the North Montgomery Community School Corporation in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Besides these duties, Dr. Brower is a consultant and presenter for many educational issues. Some of these include trimester scheduling, discipline in schools, teaching on the extended period, leadership topics, decision-making philosophy, building professional staff capacity, and teaching for learning. Dr. Brower has also published articles in numerous professional journals on these topics. Dr. Brower is recognized nationally as an expert on trimester scheduling for both middle schools and high schools. He and Dr. Brad Balch invented the Transformational Leadership theory presented in this book. Dr. Brower is an entertaining presenter who mixes research with common sense. Dr. Brower’s educational career has included teaching and coaching for twenty-two years, six years as a high school principal, and four years as a public school superintendent. This is Dr. Brower’s first book but several more are in the works.

Dr. Bradley Balch is currently the Chairperson for the Department of Educational Leadership, Administration, and Foundations at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. Formerly, Dr. Balch served as a teacher, building administrator, and superintendent. In addition to his current capacity as a school board president, Dr. Balch also serves as a facilitator and consultant to school boards on leadership and governance issues. His scholarship agenda, including presentations and publications at the regional, state and national levels focus, in part, on the recruitment, retention and professional development of school leaders, mentoring and induction of new school leaders, and stress factors in district-level leadership.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
1. Introduction
2. Decision-Making Pedagogy: A Leadership Essential
3. Overcoming Internal Obstacles to Decision Making
4. Overcoming External Barriers to Decision Making
5. Aligning Decision Making to the Leader's Mission
6. Understanding How Human Nature Affects Decision Making
7. Defining Relationships With Respect and Rapport
8. Entrust: The Value of Empowerment and Delegation
9. Creating Motivating Capacities for the Common Good
10. The Influence of Capitalism on Decision Making
11. Refining and Rethinking Change in Education
12. Facing the Challenges of Leadership
13. Leadership for the Common Good: The Essential Imperative
Resource: Decision Making Self-Assessment
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"A great read for leaders desiring to practically apply principles of sincerity, integrity, and commitment to an organization's culture. "

James Thompson

"As we prepare educational leaders, Transformational Leadership & Decision Making is a must read. "

Debra Lecklider

"The authors provide a self-assessment to help school leaders reflect on their own effectiveness in decision making. May be of interest to school leaders, and could prompt interesting professional growth conversations. Could also be an effective resource for graduate coursework in educational leadership."

Principal Navigator

"Educational leaders need a basis for confident decision making. The authors have a solution for challenging times. "

Kay Harmless

"Finally-a book outlining how to 'lead' in education, by authors whose knowledge comes frontline practice and success. "

Senator Luke Kenley

"In my 25 years of school administration, Transformational Leadership & Decision Making in Schools is the first book that makes sense. When followed, it really works! "

Terry Russell

"Public education is constantly evolving, and new challenges require school officials to be insightful, well planned, and innovative. It is because of these changing times that this book, which offers a different view of systems analysis and organizational behavior, is so valuable."

Frank Bush

"Finally-a book outlining how to 'lead' in education, by authors whose knowledge comes frontline practice and success. "

Senator - Luke Kenley