In this era of the Great Resignation, when nearly 40% of principals anticipate leaving their roles, districts need more resilient leaders who can meet the challenges ahead. The past two years--from the global pandemic to the national social justice movement--have created a vastly more complex and demanding environment for school leaders. The need…

In 1966, the Coleman report assessed conditions in U.S. schools and identified barriers that prevented Black students from accessing high-quality education. Since that time--and despite federal efforts to close gaps in achievement between students who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color (BIPOC) and their White peers--not much has changed.…

The George W. Bush Institute's School Leadership Initiative (SLI) District Cohort Research Project is a five-year effort with four school districts to test two frameworks--Principal Talent Management (PTM) and Effective Implementation. This collaboration is designed to improve how districts prepare, recruit, support, and retain principals. This…

The "Professional Learning Readiness Self-Assessment Tool" helps districts assess their capacity for effective, comprehensive professional learning. For the purposes of this tool, effective professional learning strategies are those strategies based upon research and aligned with professional standards. Comprehensive professional…

"School Budget Hold'em" is a game designed to help school districts rethink their budgeting process. It evolved out of Education Resource Strategies' (ERS) experience working with large urban districts around the country. "School Budget Hold'em" offers a completely new approach--one that can turn the budgeting process into a long-term visioning…

"Data Wise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Assessment Results to Improve Teaching and Learning" presents a clear and carefully tested blueprint for school leaders. It shows how examining test scores and other classroom data can become a catalyst for important schoolwide conversations that will enhance schools' abilities to capture…

When you think of great leaders, of course Abraham Lincoln would come to mind. But can the life of a great 19th century president really shed light on what 21st century school leaders should do? "Yes," say authors Harvey Alvy and Pam Robbins. Their book explores how Lincoln's ability to persevere and lead despite adversity provides a compelling…

The new "International Handbook of Universities" is now 2-volumes and includes single-user access to World Higher Education Database Online. This "Twenty-second Edition" is the most comprehensive guide to university-level education worldwide, providing detailed information on higher education institutions that offer at least a post-graduate degree…

From setting the stage to engaging the community in understanding the purpose of collaborative professional learning teams, this volume covers what leaders need to know to implement more effective professional learning. Chapters focus on changing school culture, scheduling time, planning, using data, designs for professional learning, facilitating…

Principals claim the authority to hire teachers; however, central office personnel specialists, who are trained to make balanced, legally sound hiring decisions, also have a role to play. In an introduction to three articles on this topic, practices at three organizations outside education that demonstrate a partnership approach are cited. (MLF)

A principal praises a collaborative method of selecting teachers that involves a personnel interview and a background check followed by an interview with the building principal. Several candidates are then interviewed by a team of at least three staff members to ensure that the prospective teacher shares the school's philosophy and vision. (MLF)

In districts committed to site-based management, principals expect to have a great degree of authority in staff selection. A principal maintains that, if district administrators must make the occasional staff selection decision, then the principals should at least be consulted before the final decision is made. (MLF)

According to a personnel director, principals should be able to specify the critical knowledge, skills, and attitudes they require of prospective teacher candidates. Personnel officials should be able to identify candidates who meet those criteria. (MLF)

Success in leading a public school system today requires the school executive to guide multiple stakeholders, including parents, educators, and students, toward the development, acceptance, and achievement of worthwhile educational goals. This book delineates the skills needed for this task and provides help in developing them. Part 1, with six…

School restructuring means forging a collaborative relationship between the central office and local schools. Outlines the differences between a traditional and a restructured central office. (MLF)