Alan M. Blankstein - Böcker

Now is the time for Breakthrough LeadershipThis book was borne out of urgency. We face the consequences of a raging pandemic, coupled with an unprecedented call to end racial injustice. COVID-19 has exposed longstanding structural inequities, while at the same time offering a rare "breakthrough" opportunity to dismantle inequitable systems that have harmed our most marginalized students for generations. Breakthrough Leadership is rooted in moral courage and calls us to act upon a new discovery,  or epiphany about a fundamental truth that challenges previous beliefs.While this book offers examples of schools that were "beating the odds" pre-COVID-19 as well as strategies for changing those odds in the future. Breakthrough Leadership also spotlights professionals now leveraging crises like this to shape local and national priorities toward a more equitable and healthy society for our children in order to: Create and sustain Equitable Learning Communities (ELCs) that are grounded in relational trustEstablish comprehensive systems to ensure that all students thriveImplement cutting-edge principles of effective curriculum, instruction, and assessment including culturally responsive teaching, trauma-informed practice, and blended learningMeaningfully engage families and communityLeadership from the classroom to the board room is needed to advance an agenda of equitable and successful outcomes for our students. The facts stakes couldn’t be starker. Good leadership saves lives both in pandemics, and in our profession. "The critical variable that determines whether or not our schools can respond adequately to the numerous challenges that they and their children face is leadership. . . This book is about the work of such leaders. In big cities, small towns, and rural areas, a small number of principals and superintendents are showing that progress can be made when leaders have the resourcefulness and courage to address equity challenges directly.  The educational leaders profiled in this book have a clear sense of how to systematically build the capacity of teachers and schools to meet the needs of the students they serve. I urge other leaders to learn from them so that great schools that serve all children well, will be the norm, rather than the exception."~Pedro Noguera  "With all its devastation, COVID-19 also presents the opportunity of the century to transform the public education system that, to say the least, has become stalled and stagnant in the past 50 years. . . . Breakthrough Leadership makes a significant contribution to our next phase, which must be one of definable and targeted transformation of equity-based learning.~Michael Fullan

Develop a leadership style that inspires an entire school community to achieve high goals!In this second volume of The Soul of Educational Leadership series, editors Paul D. Houston, Alan M. Blankstein, and Robert W. Cole offer creative perspectives on the challenges of reframing leadership practice. Presenting key strategies from leadership experts such as Thomas Sergiovanni and Dennis Sparks, this compact resource combines research, reflective exercises, and day-to-day school leadership procedures for motivating students and providing meaningful cultural change in school communities.An ideal handbook for principals, assistant principals, superintendents, and district administrators, this copublication with AASA and the HOPE Foundation discusses: Developing high-quality leadershipInspiring transformative leadershipEmbracing leadership alternatives Evaluating current school reform practicesMeeting the challenges in leadership rolesOut-of-the-Box Leadership is the perfect guide to help administrators rethink, reshape, and strengthen their leadership styles and provide confident, focused direction that will help build real success for students and all members of the school community.

Develop a leadership style that inspires an entire school community to achieve high goals!

In this second volume of The Soul of Educational Leadership series, editors Paul D. Houston, Alan M. Blankstein, and Robert W. Cole offer creative perspectives on the challenges of reframing leadership practice. Presenting key strategies from leadership experts such as Thomas Sergiovanni and Dennis Sparks, this compact resource combines research, reflective exercises, and day-to-day school leadership procedures for motivating students and providing meaningful cultural change in school communities.An ideal handbook for principals, assistant principals, superintendents, and district administrators, this copublication with AASA and the HOPE Foundation discusses:

Developing high-quality leadershipInspiring transformative leadershipEmbracing leadership alternatives Evaluating current school reform practicesMeeting the challenges in leadership roles

Out-of-the-Box Leadership is the perfect guide to help administrators rethink, reshape, and strengthen their leadership styles and provide confident, focused direction that will help build real success for students and all members of the school community.

Join today′s most insightful thinkers as they explore the heart, mind, and soul of educational leadership!This concise volume offers educational leaders key concepts and strategies for framing discussions about closing the equity gap and ensuring high achievement for all learners. As the first volume in The Soul of Educational Leadership series, this unique collection presents: Pedro A. Noguera and Alan M. Blankstein on essential questions and themesDelores B. Lindsey and Randall B. Lindsey on culturally proficient equity auditsAntoinette Mitchell on the knowledge base for teaching diverse learners in big-city schoolsStephen G. Peters on how to capture, inspire, and teach every learnerThomas R. Guskey on rethinking the work of Benjamin S. BloomKaren J. Pittman and Merita Irby on readiness for college, work, and lifeAlan Boyle on helping failing schools to turn around Richard Farson on the paradoxes of risk, challenge, failure, and innovationPioneering educators and series editors Alan M. Blankstein, Robert W. Cole, and Paul D. Houston offer thought-provoking ideas applicable to all schools, districts, and learning communities and include a complete index for browsing and easy reference.

Join today′s most insightful thinkers as they explore the heart, mind, and soul of educational leadership!This concise volume offers educational leaders key concepts and strategies for framing discussions about closing the equity gap and ensuring high achievement for all learners. As the first volume in The Soul of Educational Leadership series, this unique collection presents: Pedro A. Noguera and Alan M. Blankstein on essential questions and themesDelores B. Lindsey and Randall B. Lindsey on culturally proficient equity auditsAntoinette Mitchell on the knowledge base for teaching diverse learners in big-city schoolsStephen G. Peters on how to capture, inspire, and teach every learnerThomas R. Guskey on rethinking the work of Benjamin S. BloomKaren J. Pittman and Merita Irby on readiness for college, work, and lifeAlan Boyle on helping failing schools to turn around Richard Farson on the paradoxes of risk, challenge, failure, and innovationPioneering educators and series editors Alan M. Blankstein, Robert W. Cole, and Paul D. Houston offer thought-provoking ideas applicable to all schools, districts, and learning communities and include a complete index for browsing and easy reference.

Use the power of data—and the insights it provides—to enhance your leadership practice!

Offering key concepts about how the informed use of data can translate into highly effective school leadership, this seventh volume in The Soul of Educational Leadership series demonstrates how educational leaders can apply data strategically to strengthen school leadership and significantly improve professional learning, students' learning experiences, and schoolwide performance.

Copublished with the HOPE Foundation and the American Association of School Administrators and featuring state-of-the-art contributions from Jesse Rodriguez, Lorna M. Earl, Steven Katz, Eileen Depka, Kay Burke, and other experts, this compact book combines research, practice, and innovative thinking to help readers determine what kind of data they need and how to use their findings to:

Create a culture of professional inquiry that drives staff development Redefine curriculum, instruction, and assessment in standards-based classroomsRaise student achievement Determine best uses for technology to benefit administrators, teachers, and studentsRegularly fine tune the decision-making process

Meet the challenges of today's changing schools through shared leadership!

Today's rapidly changing schools and educational trends present administrators and school leaders with unique challenges. This fifth volume in the Soul of Educational Leadership series offers inspiring articles that examine how to sustain the achievements of school communities while building shared leadership to carry on the work of school improvement, even when facing tight budgets or a change in leadership.

Bringing together a powerful group of leading educational thinkers such as Michael Fullan, Dennis Sparks, Linda Lambert, Dean Fink, Alma Harris, and many others, this volume explores a variety of timely topics for reflection, discussion, and practice, including:

The characteristics and nature of effective leadershipSustainable leadership built on shared visionImproving classroom teaching and student learningLarge-scale reforms that benefit the entire school communityRecruiting and developing new leaders, and much more!

This book is an ideal reference for busy administrators dedicated to continued educational excellence.

"This resource brings together an incredible blend of leading educational thinkers. Their diverse experiences, perspectives, and wisdom will stimulate in leaders the ′deep work′ of the heart, mind, and soul essential for creating schools that continuously improve teaching, learning, and relationships in ways that benefit all members of the school community."—Dennis Sparks, Emeritus Executive DirectorNational Staff Development CouncilA concise volume packed with research and innovative ideas from today′s key thinkers! Professional learning communities have become a significant factor in improving instructional effectiveness and student achievement. In the third volume of The Soul of Educational Leadership series, educators and leaders will discover key concepts and strategies for sustaining the critically important work of these communities. Contributions from Shirley M. Hord, Maurice J. Elias, Karen Seashore Louis, Andy Hargreaves, Stephanie A. Hirsh, and other nationally known educators highlight:Leadership teams and a collaborative culture The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Multiple approaches for supporting social-emotional learning in schools Leadership, real-world challenges, and moral choices A thought-provoking collection from educational visionaries, Sustaining Professional Learning Communities is essential reading for all school leaders committed to strengthening learning environments.

"This resource brings together an incredible blend of leading educational thinkers. Their diverse experiences, perspectives, and wisdom will stimulate in leaders the ′deep work′ of the heart, mind, and soul essential for creating schools that continuously improve teaching, learning, and relationships in ways that benefit all members of the school community."—Dennis Sparks, Emeritus Executive DirectorNational Staff Development CouncilA concise volume packed with research and innovative ideas from today′s key thinkers! Professional learning communities have become a significant factor in improving instructional effectiveness and student achievement. In the third volume of The Soul of Educational Leadership series, educators and leaders will discover key concepts and strategies for sustaining the critically important work of these communities. Contributions from Shirley M. Hord, Maurice J. Elias, Karen Seashore Louis, Andy Hargreaves, Stephanie A. Hirsh, and other nationally known educators highlight:Leadership teams and a collaborative culture The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Multiple approaches for supporting social-emotional learning in schools Leadership, real-world challenges, and moral choices A thought-provoking collection from educational visionaries, Sustaining Professional Learning Communities is essential reading for all school leaders committed to strengthening learning environments.

"A useful book for those who want to find balance in their lives and add a dimension of spirituality to their leadership." —Kenneth Killian, Assistant Professor Vanguard University of Southern California "The information is approachable, nonthreatening, and personal. The authors discuss their own past roles as educational leaders, providing instant credibility."—Jennifer Baadsgaard, Assistant Principal Roosevelt High School, San Antonio, TX Revitalize your leadership and help shape a better future for the students you serve! This fourth volume of The Soul of Educational Leadership series offers key strategies for identifying the moral and ethical dimensions of school leadership practice. With thought-provoking contributions from top leadership figures like Terrence E. Deal, Dawna Markova, and Scott Thompson, this enlightening resource combines research with innovative ideas for practice and emphasizes:

Spirituality within a life-sustaining context The role of spirituality in empowering leaders as agents for transformative change A moral obligation to create safe and supportive learning spaces for students

Spirituality in Educational Leadership helps educators align everyday practice with core values in ways that will make a significant difference in their professional and personal lives.

Motivate, persuade, and inspire your school community! A central role of any educational leader is that of an accomplished communicator—one who can relate to diverse communities, promote cooperative interaction, and unify stakeholders around the larger cause of quality education for every student.This sixth volume in the Soul of Educational Leadership series provides innovative ideas on diplomacy and practical strategies for strengthening communications skills. With contributions from top leadership figures like Paul D. Houston, John R. Hoyle, Rich Bagin, and Daniel H. Pink, this resource emphasizes the importance of clear and purposeful communication in gaining support, avoiding misunderstandings, and establishing productive communitywide relationships. Individual chapters demonstrate how readers can:

Create dynamic, effective districtwide communication systemsRespond to district challenges and issues Use electronic communication tools effectivelySecure and increase funding for their schools and districtsIncrease avenues for informing the public about issues that affect schools and students

This insightful book offers all school leaders a rich array of creative, thoughtful communication approaches to empower their leadership and inspire everyone who has a stake in preparing today's students for tomorrow's challenges.

"Establishing school-family-community partnerships to promote the social, emotional, and academic learning of students is the most important challenge for 21st-century education. In this volume, leading practitioners and researchers compellingly convey the rationale and inspiration for these partnerships. They also share many practical, innovative, and effective strategies that readers can readily implement to engage partners in raising knowledgeable, responsible, caring, and contributing children."—Roger P. Weissberg, Liberal Arts and Sciences Distinguished ProfessorUniversity of Illinois at Chicago

Making schooling a community endeavor!

Because schools are the heart and soul of a community, educational leaders have a responsibility to bring the community into the school, as well as to make the school a part of the surrounding community. This volume in the Soul of Educational Leadership series goes beyond administrative skills to examine educators' pivotal role of leading family and community involvement in school success.

With articles written by leading authorities and practitioners in the field, this resource discusses how school leaders can build successful family and community partnerships that flourish even in trying circumstances and over time. Readers will find:

Contributions from Alan M. Blankstein, Pedro A. Noguera, Mavis G. Sanders, Paul D. Houston, Edward H. Moore, and othersInspiring and unique perspectives on the interplay of family and community in school success Ideas for engaging families as partners

"This indispensable volume provides a wealth of answers from the country′s foremost educators and researchers."—Dennis Shirley, ProfessorBoston College Lynch School of Education, MAKeys to building socially just schools where achievement soarsResearch shows that students′ sense of belonging in their school communities is critically linked to academic achievement. This ninth and final book in The Soul of Educational Leadership series offers practical strategies for promoting socially responsible school cultures that foster greater student engagement and democratic values.A joint publication with the American Association of School Administrators and the HOPE Foundation, with contributions from renowned educators Bonnie Davis, Linda Skrla, Randall Lindsey, and others, this book explores the key concepts of respect, equity, and character, and examines tough issues such as: Reflecting on our backgrounds and assumptionsModeling socially responsible behaviorTeaching students to discern injusticeEnacting a zero-tolerance policy toward bullyingStudents will shape tomorrow based on what they learn today. This compact guide equips educators to implement democratic practices, act in socially just ways, and impart democratic values to the citizens of the future.

Demonstrate how six powerful principles can help ensure that failure is never an option!

An ideal companion to the second edition of the bestseller, Failure Is Not an Option®, this step-by-step guide provides staff developers and workshop facilitators with all the tools to help school leaders create successful, sustainable high-performing schools. Aligned with the chapters of Alan M. Blankstein's award-winning book, these activities, discussion questions, and field-tested resources demonstrate how to avoid 10 common routes to failure and are designed around six guiding principles:

Common mission, vision, values, and goalsAchievement for all students through prevention and intervention systems Collaborative teaming focused on teaching for learning Data-based decisions for continuous improvement Active family and community engagement Building sustainable leadership capacity

Reflecting the updated edition's greater emphasis on diversity, assessment for learning, intervention and support for students at risk, and schooling as a community endeavor, the facilitator's guide features

Field-tested resources referenced in Failure Is Not An Option®, Second Edition, including tools for applying the six principles Workshop activities Discussion questions Chapter content summariesSuggestions for further reading and reflection A workshop evaluation form

The Facilitator's Guide to Failure Is Not an Option®, Second Edition is ideal for staff developers or anyone leading groups of any size—pairs, small workshops, or large seminars.

"The answer is not always in the room. Sometimes it's in the room next door. But help is often much closer than you think. Drawing on inspirational yet practical examples of health reform in Vietnam, courageous change in South Africa, and authentic improvements that get results in a range of American schools, Alan Blankstein demonstrates that throwing random reforms into the room through the door, or shouting at people in the room from up on the roof, are not ways that make positive change happen. Blankstein knows his people, knows his schools and knows what brings about positive, professionally driven change. This brilliant little book not only shows what works, it dignifies the overly criticized professionals who make it all happen."—Andy Hargreaves, Author and Thomas More Brennan Chair in EducationBoston College, MA

"When the well-being of children is at stake, people of all stripes are called upon to put aside personal agendas, find the humility and courage to do what is right, and let go of what has not worked. This book provides compelling reasons for doing this in education, as well as a powerful new methodology for success and a pathway to a brighter future."—Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu1GOAL Education for All, Cape Town, South Africa

"With tools and techniques provided in Alan Blankstein's new book, educators have the potential to uncover the answers to complex issues in education."—Deborah Childs-Bowen, Assistant ProfessorAlliance for Leadership in Education, Samford University, Birmingham, AL

Learn the secrets of successful schools

Citing wisdom from top educational experts and building on what is already working, award-winning author Alan M. Blankstein offers tools for finding excellence in schools, scaling these practices across learning communities, and transforming low-performing schools into high-performing schools. His five-step process includes:

Identifying and assessing excellence Creating an action plan Assigning resources such as time, materials, etc.Transferring excellence in the form of knowledge and skills throughout the school and district Sustaining the excellence

Also included are effective strategies for sustaining student gains, closing gaps within and between schools, building leader capacity, and increasing community commitment.