'This book has something for everyone-the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!' - Mary Devin, Associate Professor
Kansas State University
'Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on' -Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director Connecticut Association of Schools
Use these practical tips and real-world examples to facilitate meaningful school change!
This updated edition of the bestseller on school reform focuses on collaboration at three crucial levels: district, school, and classroom. Recognizing the power of multilevel support, reform expert Edie L. Holcomb provides a structure that helps teams of educators assess a situation, gather information, plan and implement change initiatives, evaluate progress, and sustain change.
In easy-to-understand language, Asking the Right Questions, Third Edition, effectively highlights the issues that need to be addressed when implementing school improvement initiatives. Building on her highly successful framework, the author presents a new discussion on shaping practice, creating effective decision-making structures, and reviewing improvement plans. The new edition also includes:
- Innovative strategies such as symbolic displays, configuration maps, priority grids, and open space technology
- Additional examples of change scenarios from the field
- Review questions and chapter summaries that highlight key points
- A CD-ROM with figures, customizable forms, and a chapter-by-chapter discussion guide to facilitate individual and group study
From simple policy changes to broad reform, this invaluable guide helps teachers, principals, and administrators work together to visualize and enact changes that improve student achievement.
Industry Reviews
"A great book with practical advice. It provides all the tools for facilitating change dialogues with clear explanations of what is desired for answering the essential questions." -- Linda Vogel, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies "An effective synthesis of information for implementing, monitoring, and sustaining change in a collaborative way." -- Bess Scott, Principal "Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on." -- Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director "Offers a strong set of strategies for working with adults to gain consensus, reach a goal, or gain insight into the thinking of participants." -- Rita Corbett, Educational Consultant "An excellent book. This is the manual that I have been needing. It simplified the complex and demonstrated that we can really make a difference in our schools and districts." -- Janet Hurt, Associate Superintendent "This book has something for everyone-the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, or the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!" -- Mary Devin, Associate Professor "During my four years in the Kentucky Distinguished Educator Program, this book was my constant companion. On many occasions, the materials and insights I gleaned from this book made my work easier and made me appear to others to be smarter and wiser." -- Stan Laferty, Curriculum Coordinator "The book is supported with concrete examples from real-life experience and is presented with an eye to real problems. It allows the reader to find tools that are appropriate for the local situation and to feel empowered to use the tools in flexible ways." -- Steven R. Thompson, Coordinator, School Leadership Program
