In this insightful look at school reform, Robert Evans examines the real-life hurdles to implementing innovation and explains how the best-intended efforts can be stalled by educators who too often feel burdened and conflicted by the change process. He provides a new model of leadership along with practical management strategies for building a framework of cooperation between leaders of change and the people they depend upon to implement it.

Make change humanly possible When we ask schools to change, we are asking human beings to change and this requires special tools and a human-centered approach. Change the heart of the system by enabling the hearts and minds of those who make schools work. Learn to make sense of challenging change journeys and accelerate implementation with this practical framework that includes human-centered tools, resources and mini case studies. Understand why resistance is to be expected and how to get through it. Discover three different kinds of change strategies and when to use which one Learn how to use the “messy middle” of change, where real transformation happens. "Julie Wilson dares to turn common sense into an action plan. This is an urgent, important book for all educators and parents." Seth Godin, Author "Julie Wilson is both a visionary and a pragmatist. Her book is a wonderfully clear and concise guide for leaders who seek to navigate the road to educational transformation." Tony Wagner, Author

Build the bridge from data collection to improved instruction Students are people—not data. How can you use assessment data to focus on reaching every student? This book shows how to develop a common language for sharing all students’ progress with all teachers and leaders, and how to use ongoing assessment to inform instruction. Based on worldwide research of more than 500 educators, the book presents solutions organized by: Assessment Instruction Leadership Ownership The many benefits of personalizing data include increased student engagement and a positive impact on school culture. This reader-friendly guide helps you set goals, adjust lessons, identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, and implement interventions.

The keys to having an outstanding career as a school leader. The American educational system is in crisis; trends of recent years have been extraordinarily hard on educators. An entire generation of school leaders is retiring, many of them early, and the number of candidates applying to replace them is plummeting. In many districts, applications have shrunk by nearly two-thirds. Seven Secrets of The Savvy School Leader hopes to counteract these glum statistics by giving both aspiring and experienced school leaders important survival tools, and encouraging long-term leaders to renew their faith in their own abilities. Describes the innate tensions inherent in leadership Explores the difference between dilemmas and problems Encourages leaders to make change by making meaning Offers guidance for being your best and bold self Written an expert on school leadership who has worked closely with thousands of schools over the years, the book will help anyone serving as or considering becoming a school administrator.

The indispensable leadership companion—updated and more relevant than ever! Part leadership manual, part short novel, this unique best-seller uses dialogues between a novice and a master teacher and between a new and a seasoned principal to illuminate how the simple act of viewing a problem through different lenses—political, human resources, structural, or symbolic—can reveal better options and solutions. Featuring reflective questions and solid strategies for meeting real-life challenges, the third edition also includes New views on building morale in challenging times A revamped discussion of mandates, standards, and rubrics A celebration of educators as skilled professionals Expanded conversations about hope, faith, and parental involvement Sometimes all it takes to solve a problem is to reframe it by listening to wise advice from a trusted mentor.

"Clears out the bureaucratic techniques of impersonal management and focuses the core of leadership on dealing with school change as a most human endeavor. When all is said and done, the quality of education revolves around the aspirations, commitments, and wellness of teachers giving their best." —Carl Glickman, Scholar in Residence The University of Georgia Develop a leadership approach that responds to the emotional needs of teachers! School leaders know that an engaged and committed faculty is critical to student learning and the success of a school community, yet traditional leadership practices often fail to take the affective needs of teachers into consideration. Kenneth Leithwood and Brenda Beatty draw on theory and empirical evidence to show how teachers′ emotional well-being can affect their performance in the classroom. This invaluable resource provides principals and other school leaders with specific practices to positively influence teacher perspectives, and examines teacher emotions in five key areas: Job satisfaction and morale Stress, anxiety, and burn-out Sense of individual and collective self-efficacy Organizational commitment and engagement Willingness and motivation to improve their practices When educational leaders create conditions that support teachers in their work, schools can experience higher teacher retention rates, improved climate and culture, and increased student achievement.