From School Improvement to Sustained Capacity

Frank Crowther - University of Southern Queensland, Australia

Foreword by Andy Hargreaves

Other Titles in:
Leadership | School Change, Reform, & Restructuring | Staff Development & Professional Learning

April 2011 | 240 pages | Corwin

"Frank Crowther and his associates show us how to build the foundation for sustainability. They weave together a powerful conceptual framework, snapshots of schools using the ideas, and activities for getting there yourself. Engagement, clarity, and impact are at the core of this terrific book."
—Michael Fullan, Professor and Author
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto

"A very informative book that will assist beginning and seasoned administrators in organizing and restructuring their schools to meet the needs of the 21st century."
—Belinda J. Raines, Principal
Northwestern High School, Detroit, MI

The definitive approach to achieving long-term school improvement

Will your school improvement plan stand the test of time? Bestselling author Frank Crowther makes a compelling case for capacity-building and parallel leadership as the keys to ensuring sustainable improvement. Based on a recent research study that examined how school leaders collaborated to enhance quality in their workplaces, this book:

Outlines six research-based dynamics for accomplishing lasting results
Provides real-life examples of successful parallel leadership among administrators, teachers, and students
Demonstrates effective capacity building in a variety of settings with case studies and simulations

Everything you need to build a successful and sustainable plan that is rooted in enduring principles is right here, complete with practical examples and proven tools.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781412986946	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $39.95	Bookstore Price: $31.96
ISBN: 9781452236919	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $36.00	Bookstore Price: $28.80

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List of Tables

List of Figures

Foreword by Andy Hargreaves

Preface

Introduction

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1. The COSMIC C-B Approach: A Prelude

Introduction

COSMIC C-B in Brief

The School Research Origins of COSMIC C-B

The Phase A Research

The Phase B Research

The Phase C Research

Concluding Comment

2. The First C-B Dynamic: Committing to Revitalization

Introduction

A Snapshot of Committing to Revitalization: Carmichael Secondary College

Committing to Revitalization: Deepening Our Understanding

Leadership for Committing to Revitalization

Thinking Outside the Square: Al Gore and Committing to Revitalization

Conclusion

Committing to Revitalization: Building Personal Capacity

3. The Second C-B Dynamic: Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence

Introduction

A Snapshot of Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Bellwood Secondary School

Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Deepening Our Understanding

Organizational Coherence as Structural Alignment

Organizational Coherence as Cognitive Alignment

Organizational Coherence as Structural and Cognitive Alignment

Leadership for Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence

Thinking “Outside-the-Square”: Organizational Coherence When Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus

Conclusion

Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Building Personal Capacity

4. The Third C-B Dynamic: Seeking New Heights

Introduction

A Snapshot of Seeking New Heights: Carlo Maria Carafa High School

Seeking New Heights: Deepening Our Understanding

Leadership for Seeking New Heights

Summary

Seeking New Heights: Building Personal Capacity

5. The Fourth C-B Dynamic: Micro-Pedagogical Deepening

Introduction

A Snapshot of Micro-Pedagogical Deepening: Greenfield Elementary School

Thinking Outside the Square: The Grameen Way and Micro Pedagogical Deepening

Conclusion

Micro-Pedagogical Deepening – Building Personal Capacity

6. The Fifth C-B Dynamic: Invoking Reaction

Introduction

A Snapshot of Invoking Reaction: Eacham High School

Invoking Reaction: Deepening Our Understanding

Leadership for Invoking Reaction

Thinking Outside the Square: Médecins Sans Frontières and Invoking Reaction

Conclusion

Invoking Reaction: Building Personal Capacity

7. The Sixth C-B Dynamic: Consolidating Success

Introduction

A Snapshot of Consolidating Success: All Hallows Catholic Elementary School

Consolidating Success: Deepening Our Understanding

The Systemic Perspective on Consolidating Success

The Metanoia Perspective on Consolidating Success

The Culture Perspective on Consolidating Success

The Leadership Perspective on Consolidating Success

Consolidating Success: Steve “Crocodile Hunter”

Summary

Consolidating Success: Building Personal Capacity

8. Next Steps Along the Parallel Leadership C-B Pathway

Introduction

COSMIC C-B in Retrospect and Prospect

Parallel Leadership in Retrospect and Prospect

Conclusion

Appendix A: The IDEAS Project

Appendix B: The Research Design and Methodology

References

Index

"Our ability to build capacity in order to ensure student learning is paramount. This book takes us step-by-step through the process of building capacity, giving practical examples and offering simulations that any school leader can use to improve student learning."

David G. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction

SAU #38, Swanzey, NH

"Frank Crowther and his associates show us deeply and clearly how to build the foundation for sustainability. They take us on a marvelous journey that weaves together a powerful conceptual framework, concrete snapshots of schools using the ideas, and tools and activities for getting there yourself. Engagement, clarity, and impact are at the core of this terrific book."

Michael Fullan, Professor and Author

University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Centre for Teacher Development

"A very detailed and informative book that will assist beginning and seasoned administrators in organizing and restructuring their schools to meet the needs of the 21st century."

Belinda J. Raines, Principal

Northwestern High School, Detroit, MI

"A fine survey on achieving long-term school improvement, from an author who makes a case for capacity building and parallel leadership as keys to sustainable improvement."

James A. Cox, Editor in Chief

Midwest Book Review, August 2011

Key features

Goes beyond the idea of capacity building as a theoretical, functional framework to demonstrate how it can be a practical, attainable process for schools
Focuses on six key dynamics of successful school capacity building—committing to revitalization, organizational diagnosis and coherence, seeking new heights, micro-pedagogical deepening, invoking reaction, and consolidating success—and illustrates how parallel leadership can be used as a strategy and tool to realize these dynamics
Provides elementary and secondary school cases in each chapter to illustrate key chapter concepts and research findings
Each chapter contains exercises for parallel leadership and successful school capacity-building
Includes an appendix with full details on the research study that informed the book