Case Studies on Educational Administration - Softcover

Kowalski, Theodore J.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 020550907X ISBN 13: 9780205509072

Publisher: Pearson, 2007

Synopsis

This book immerses prospective administrators in the realities of practice. Problem solving and decision-making skills are addressed through the use of open-ended case studies.

 

Effective practice in school administration requires both leadership and management. In today’s reform-minded, information-based society, practitioners must be able to frame problems correctly and then make effective decisions to ameliorate them. As leaders, district and school-level administrators are expected to focus on what should be done to improve schools; as managers; they are expected to focus on how to do things successfully. The cases in this book are designed to make students think about common problems of practice by encouraging them to bridge theory and practice. More precisely, the cases are intended to hone four essential practitioner skills:

1. The ability to frame a problem correctly

2. The ability to develop and evaluate alternative solutions to a defined problem

3. The ability to use data and other facts to counter the influence of politics and emotion in decision making

4. The ability to grow professionally by engaging in reflective practice

About this title

From the Back Cover

Case Studies on Educational Administration, 5/e

Theodore J. Kowalski, Universityof Dayton

 

Effective practice in school administration requires both leadership and management. In today’s reform-minded, information-based society, practitioners must be able to frame problems correctly and then make effective decisions to ameliorate them. As leaders, district and school-level administrators are expected to focus on what should be done to improve schools; as managers; they are expected to focus on how to do things successfully. The cases in this book are designed to make students think about common problems of practice by encouraging them to bridge theory and practice. More precisely, the cases are intended to hone four essential practitioner skills:

 

1. The ability to frame a problem correctly

2. The ability to develop and evaluate alternative solutions to a defined problem

3. The ability to use data and other facts to counter the influence of politics and emotion in decision making

4. The ability to grow professionally by engaging in reflective practice.

 

 

New to this Edition:

• In the aftermath of the No Child Left Behind Act, greater emphasis has been placed on using data to make decisions.
• The Introduction to the book has been expanded to provide more information about problem solving and data-driven decision making.
• Immediately after each case, a format for framing the primary problem has been added. The intent is to teach students how to frame problems and the nexus between problem solving and decision making.
• Three new cases have been added. Case 1 involves data-driven decision making; Case 8 pertains to cultural conflict in a rapidly changing community; Case 15 addresses the responsibility of high school officials for a weekend student party.

Here’s What Your Colleagues Are Saying:

 

“These cases provide the students opportunities to see things from an administrator’s perspective instead of the teacher’s perspective.  This can be very eye-opening for some of the students”

Michael Pregot, Iona College

 

“The book’s strength definitely lies in the complexity of each case.”

Terry Stirling, Northeastern Illinois University

Edition details

• Publisher: Pearson
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 020550907X
• ISBN 13: 9780205509072
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 240