Developing Inviting Schools

William W. Purkey is professor emeritus of counselor education at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. John M. Novak is professor emeritus of education at Brock University, Ontario. Joan R. Fretz is a consultant and leadership coach and former school administrator and teacher for Long Island, New York, public schools.

“The book Developing Inviting Schools: A Beneficial Framework for Teaching and Leading is the culmination of over one hundred years of aggregate experience of three highly influential educators. The third author, Joan Fretz, is a highly sought-after presenter and expert on issues of school climate. The first two authors, William W. Purkey and John Novak have been publishing powerhouses on educational issues since the 80s and show no signs of letting up. As evidence of their longevity in the field, I am approaching retirement, and, as a young man in college, I used a textbook jointly authored by both of them. Purkey, now in his 90s, may yet have more books in him; however, whether he does or not, this book may very well be his magnum opus as it seems to sum up, and bulk up, all he has been advocating over the decades.”—Education Today

• ContentsPrefacexi1.Introducing Invitational Education1The Influence of Invitational Education 4An Evolving Theory of Practice 8A Systematic Approach 9The Promise of Invitational Education 10Why Invitational Education? 11The Power of the Inviting Process 15Patterns of Communication 18Feeling Invited 18Feeling Disinvited 20Summary 23Further Reflections and Activities 242.Foundations of Invitational Education26Democratic Ethos 26The Perceptual Tradition 28Self-Concept Theory 34Summary 43Further Reflections and Activities 443.The Inviting Mindset45Perceptions of Professional Helpers 47Teacher Stance 57The Actions of Educators 64Summary 68Further Reflections and Activities 694.The Skills of Inviting Educators70Being Ready 71Being With 75Following Through 87Summary 90Further Reflections and Activities 905.Inviting in the Rain93Invitational Education in a Violent Society 93An Invitational Approach to Good Discipline 98Managing Conflict: Rule of the 6 Cs 101Understanding Violence 106Creating and Maintaining Safe Schools 107Summary 111Further Reflections and Activities 1126.The Four-Corner Press113Being Personally Inviting with Oneself 114Being Personally Inviting with Others 116Being Professionally Inviting with Oneself 118Being Professionally Inviting with Others 120Summary 128Further Reflections and Activities 1287.The Invitational HELIX130Using the Invitational HELIX 131Occasional Interest (Phase I) 132Systematic Application (Phase II) 135Pervasive Adoption (Phase III) 137Summary 140Getting Started 1418.Invitational Education at Work142Districtwide Initiatives 142Regional Initiatives in New York 146International Applications 150Invitational Education Beyond Pre-K–12 Schools 153Conclusion 155Appendix A: Invitational Education Websites157Appendix B: The Inviting School Survey-Revised (ISS-R)159Appendix C: The Invitational Education ToolkitP rofessional Development Series165Appendix D: Research on Invitational Education167Appendix E: An Introduction to the Metaphor of Bluea nd Orange Cards 169References171Index181About the Authors189