1st Edition
Where the Science of Improvement Meets the Heart of Leadership Leading Equity-Focused School and District Improvement
Part I: The Why: Equity, Workplace Culture, and Leadership Values
1. Introduction: Workplace Culture and Improvement Science
2. Meet Three Educational Leaders Who Use Improvement Science
Part II: The What: Theories, Principles, and Leadership Paradigm Shifts
3. Theory behind Improvement Science
4. Principles of Improvement
5. Six Paradigm Shifts for Leading Continuous School System Improvement
Part III: The How: Structured Processes, Tools, and Leadership Strategies
6. Process and Tools for Leading through Disciplined Inquiry
7. Addressing the Vision–Implementation Gap of a Positive Workplace Culture
8. Addressing the Vision–Implementation Gap of Staff Ownership (User-Centered)
9. Addressing the Vision–Implementation Gap of Staff Vulnerability (Problem-Specific)
10. Zooming Out: Leading with a Systems Lens
Appendix 1: Icebreaker Group Activity Facilitation Guide
Appendix 2: Chapter 6 Try This—Tools for Leading Disciplined Inquiry
Appendix 3: Connecting NELP Standards to Improvement Science in Schools and Districts
Biography
Marci Shepard is Assistant Professor of Instruction for Educational Leadership and Director of the Ohio University Leadership Project, at Ohio University, USA.
“This book brings heart, clarity, insight, and practical tools to the complex work of equity-focused improvement. It’s a must-read for school and district leaders who are ready to move from intention to sustainable, systemic action.”
David R. Schuler, Executive Director, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, USA
“This volume will empower educational leaders to use a leading approach to local innovation – improvement science – to address a fundamental societal commitment: equity in-and-through public education. The volume benefits from Prof. Marci Shepard’s unique experience straddling K-12 and higher education to produce practical knowledge for educational improvement.”
Donald J. Peurach, Professor of Educational Policy, Leadership, and Innovation, University of Michigan; Senior Fellow of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, USA; and Co-Director of the Improvement Scholars Network
