Principals of Dynamic Schools

Download or read book Principals of Dynamic Schools written by Ellen B. Goldring and published by Corwin. This book was released on 1993-07-27 with total page 204 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the new roles required of principals of dynamic schools. The first chapter examines the following forces that shape principals' activities: teachers are becoming teacher-leaders; parents are more vocal and action-oriented advocates; student bodies are more diverse; the social and technological contexts of schools are more complex; and state and federal reform mandates are setting priorities. Chapter 2 develops the image of a dynamic school as the place where "principals-in-charge" work and describes the characteristics that define this type of principal. The next three chapters examine new roles for principals-in-charge: those of facilitator, balancer, and flag bearer and bridger. Respectively, these chapters: discuss the professional relationships that principals-in-charge develop to facilitate teacher leadership in dynamic schools; discuss how the principal-in-charge negotiates within the system hierarchy, and develop cooperative relationships with their superiors; and show how the principal-in-charge takes on the role of entrepreneur for the school in the community. Chapter 6 and 7 offer new approaches to assessing and preparing the principal-in-charge, pointing out that dynamic schools are evaluation-minded schools and discussing ways of enabling principals to maintain their momentum of continuous growth. The role of the principal-in-charge as a leader of change is discussed in the final chapter. Each chapter introduces a scenario that depicts the principal-in-charge of a dynamic school, presents empirical data and supporting literature, and offers chapter highlights. The appendix describes the methods used in the Classroom Alternative Process (CAP) study, the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) study, the case study for the Coalition of Essential Schools, and the High School and Beyond (USDE, 1984) data set. (Contains 216 references.) (LMI)