Great leaders create stronger foundations by building Instructional Capacity Technology and the age of information have forced educators to rethink how they can create a supportive culture and build academic press. School leaders who learn how to balance these ideas will build successful teams to meet today’s standards. In this companion to Creating Productive Cultures in Schools, Joe Murphy unpacks essential elements of building instructional capacity-Academic Press- through effective management of instruction, curriculum, and assessment. Leaders and change facilitators who read this will: Be reminded how effective instruction works and what forces shape it Understand how powerful assessment ideas can guide successful change Discover secrets to hiring and developing capacity-rich talent Know how to approach and manage curriculum for 21st century outcomes "Over the past decade increasing emphasis has been given by scholars, policymakers and practitioners to the role leaders play in building the capacity of schools to improve teaching and learning. This volume provides a sound foundation for thinking about the meaning of ′capacity′ as well as the tools leaders can use for productive impact." Dr. Philip Hallinger Professor of Educational Management, Chulalongkorn University (Thailand) "This book is a practical synthesis of what we know about fostering instructional improvement that should be a required read for every principal. Murphy goes to the heart of leadership by focusing on what can be done in any school or community to strengthen teachers’ capacity to serve all students. There are no simple checklists, but a wise distillation of core ideas that will work in complex settings." Karen Seashore Louis, Regents Professor University of Minnesota

Great leaders build stronger foundations using Academic Press School leaders who learn how to apply academic press within a supportive culture will build successful teams to meet today’s standards. This book unpacks essential elements of building instructional capacity or Academic Press through effective management of instruction, curriculum, and assessment. Leaders and change facilitators who read this will: Be reminded how effective instruction works and what forces shape it Understand how powerful assessment ideas can guide successful change Discover secrets to hiring and developing capacity-rich talent Know how to approach and manage curriculum for 21st century outcomes

Creating Capacity for Learning and Equity in Schools provides a comprehensive guide for aspiring and practicing leaders to strengthen their capacity to create high levels of learning and equity. Chapters explore key theories and research, provide resources for developing personal and organizational leadership capacity, and guide leaders through a reflective process to help them link theory and practice. Hooper and Bernhardt’s model for excellence and equity provides a pathway for educators to create and sustain learning communities in schools. Exploring three leadership approaches—Instructional, Adaptive, and Transformational—this textbook prepares and develops leaders to engage school communities through effective instructional leadership, data-informed decision-making, and a vision for learning and equity for all. Special Features: Theory to Practice (T2P) Framework—A series of structured exercises help readers review and reflect on existing organizational practices and develop new action plans. Case Studies—Encourage individual reflection and collective discussion on key leadership scenarios. Examples in Action—Challenge readers to analyze new connections and leadership processes. A companion website—Includes additional resources and tools for instructors to facilitate activities in the classroom.

Make the most of your time—and your leadership Is your school’s vision getting buried under paperwork? If you spend more time picking up pieces than putting them together, this is your book. Written by seasoned school principals, this plan of action will get you back to the essence of your job: instructional leadership. By using educational technology to maximize efficiency, you’ll improve teaching, student achievement, resource management, and school culture. This comprehensive guide features: Easy-to-follow, single-topic chapters Standards–based scenarios and questions Time-management self-assessments Easily adaptable experiential exercises Strategies for battling the “silent time thief”

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection

Engineering education is emerging as an important component of US K-12 education. Across the country, students in classrooms and after- and out-of-school programs are participating in hands-on, problem-focused learning activities using the engineering design process. These experiences can be engaging; support learning in other areas, such as science and mathematics; and provide a window into the important role of engineering in society. As the landscape of K-12 engineering education continues to grow and evolve, educators, administrators, and policy makers should consider the capacity of the US education system to meet current and anticipated needs for K-12 teachers of engineering. Building Capacity for Teaching Engineering in K-12 Education reviews existing curricula and programs as well as related research to understand current and anticipated future needs for engineering-literate K-12 educators in the United States and determine how these needs might be addressed. Key topics in this report include the preparation of K-12 engineering educators, professional pathways for K-12 engineering educators, and the role of higher education in preparing engineering educators. This report proposes steps that stakeholders - including professional development providers, postsecondary preservice education programs, postsecondary engineering and engineering technology programs, formal and informal educator credentialing organizations, and the education and learning sciences research communities - might take to increase the number, skill level, and confidence of K-12 teachers of engineering in the United States.

Bridge the gap between good intentions and real results Instructional Leadership is one of the most researched and discussed leadership practices, but most school leaders don’t know where to begin or how to balance this role with all of their other responsibilities. Peter DeWitt’s Instructional Leadership provides practical tools for delivering lasting improvement through small, manageable changes over time. This step-by-step, how-to guide presents the six driving forces of instructional leadership—implementation, focus on learning, student engagement, instructional strategies, efficacy, and evaluation of impact—within an easy-to-follow, multi-stage implementation model. It also includes: · Practical strategies grounded in research · "Entry point" sections highlighting the best places to start · Help working with PLCs, faculty meetings, teacher observations, and walkthroughs · Study questions As a leader, you are the guide for your teachers, staff, and students. Let this book guide you to a vision of instructional leadership that really works.