Leslie S Kaplan – författare

Critical Resource Theory (CReT) offers an innovative critical perspective on education funding. This new conceptual lens enables school leaders and policy makers to analyze quantitatively school funding policies and practices as a catalyst to make them more equitable. It offers a useful orientation and tool to increase fairness and opportunity in a society that systemically advantages the dominant group with ample resources while it disadvantages others by withholding them. Presenting a balance between the theoretical and its practical application to improve educational outcomes for marginalized children, chapters introduce and discuss this new extension of Critical Theory, validate it as a value-added and complete theory, place it within a broader philosophical framework, and construct its historical, social, political, and educational contexts.Designed for use in school finance and educational policy courses, this book presents an analytical tool that leaders, scholars, and policy makers can use to alter how they view public funding policies and practices – to question their assumptions about funding and resource allocations, look for, identify, and assess inadequacies and inequities, share their findings, and use these data to shape policy recommendations for increased fiscal fairness and improved student outcomes.

Critical Resource Theory (CReT) offers an innovative critical perspective on education funding. This new conceptual lens enables school leaders and policy makers to analyze quantitatively school funding policies and practices as a catalyst to make them more equitable. It offers a useful orientation and tool to increase fairness and opportunity in a society that systemically advantages the dominant group with ample resources while it disadvantages others by withholding them. Presenting a balance between the theoretical and its practical application to improve educational outcomes for marginalized children, chapters introduce and discuss this new extension of Critical Theory, validate it as a value-added and complete theory, place it within a broader philosophical framework, and construct its historical, social, political, and educational contexts.Designed for use in school finance and educational policy courses, this book presents an analytical tool that leaders, scholars, and policy makers can use to alter how they view public funding policies and practices – to question their assumptions about funding and resource allocations, look for, identify, and assess inadequacies and inequities, share their findings, and use these data to shape policy recommendations for increased fiscal fairness and improved student outcomes.

The second edition of this textbook from respected author team Kaplan and Owings explores how principals can effectively build a culture around student achievement. Introduction to the Principalship, a second edition closely aligned with NELP (2018) standards, helps aspiring principals understand how to develop a vision for improvement, make decisions and manage conflict, build teachers’ capacity, communicate, monitor the organization’s performance, and create a school climate of mutual respect. This important book provides readers with various leadership concepts to inform their practice, as well as the cognitive and practical tools to evaluate and prioritize what leadership actions to take. Each chapter offers opportunities for readers to create personal meaning and explore new ways of doing leadership to advance a positive, person-focused environment. Providing both the theoretical framework and skills for effective practice, Introduction to the Principalship addresses the issues most urgent and relevant for educational leadership graduate students learning how to build a school culture that promotes every student’s success.Fully revised, this second edition includes a new chapter on building your capacity for leadership, expanded discussion of data-informed accountability, equity considerations, and crisis management, and all chapters updated and revised throughout to reflect the latest developments in the field.Special Features:Learning Objectives - chapter openers introduce the topic and initiate student thinkingReflections and Relevance - interactive exercises, role plays, class activities, and assignments that can be used synchronously and asynchronously to deepen and extend student learningKey Takeaways - organized by learning objective, these answer readers’ question, "What about this information is meaningful for me as an aspiring principal?"Suggested Readings - each chapter concludes with annotated suggested readings to extend and deepen discussion of key issues in chapterNELP Standards - each chapter is aligned to the latest school leadership licensure standardsCompanion Website - includes links to supplemental material, additional readings, video clips with related teaching and learning activities, and PowerPoints for instructors.

The second edition of this textbook from respected author team Kaplan and Owings explores how principals can effectively build a culture around student achievement. Introduction to the Principalship, a second edition closely aligned with NELP (2018) standards, helps aspiring principals understand how to develop a vision for improvement, make decisions and manage conflict, build teachers’ capacity, communicate, monitor the organization’s performance, and create a school climate of mutual respect. This important book provides readers with various leadership concepts to inform their practice, as well as the cognitive and practical tools to evaluate and prioritize what leadership actions to take. Each chapter offers opportunities for readers to create personal meaning and explore new ways of doing leadership to advance a positive, person-focused environment. Providing both the theoretical framework and skills for effective practice, Introduction to the Principalship addresses the issues most urgent and relevant for educational leadership graduate students learning how to build a school culture that promotes every student’s success.Fully revised, this second edition includes a new chapter on building your capacity for leadership, expanded discussion of data-informed accountability, equity considerations, and crisis management, and all chapters updated and revised throughout to reflect the latest developments in the field.Special Features:Learning Objectives - chapter openers introduce the topic and initiate student thinkingReflections and Relevance - interactive exercises, role plays, class activities, and assignments that can be used synchronously and asynchronously to deepen and extend student learningKey Takeaways - organized by learning objective, these answer readers’ question, "What about this information is meaningful for me as an aspiring principal?"Suggested Readings - each chapter concludes with annotated suggested readings to extend and deepen discussion of key issues in chapterNELP Standards - each chapter is aligned to the latest school leadership licensure standardsCompanion Website - includes links to supplemental material, additional readings, video clips with related teaching and learning activities, and PowerPoints for instructors.

Equity Audits and School Resource Allocation explores how to apply Critical Resource Theory (CReT) to conduct school equity audits, ultimately preparing educational leaders to find equity disparities, engage in more equitable resource allocation in their schools, and improve equal educational opportunity for every student. With case study scenarios woven throughout the book, the authors explore key equity factors, including per-pupil expenditures, poverty, teacher and principal quality, program equity, and achievement equity. They also walk through the process of implementing the 5-step CReT equity audit within a school district or school at any level. Owings and Kaplan also describe the communication and interpersonal factors that equity advocates will need to leverage to gain community support for equity process, considering the data, and rethinking their policies and practices. In today’s education context, the problems of equitably funding public schools and allocating learning resources to generate more equal opportunities and higher outcomes for traditionally underserved children are particularly relevant. This important book is designed for course use in leadership preparation programs, for practicing principals and superintendents, and for educational leadership scholars.

Equity Audits and School Resource Allocation explores how to apply Critical Resource Theory (CReT) to conduct school equity audits, ultimately preparing educational leaders to find equity disparities, engage in more equitable resource allocation in their schools, and improve equal educational opportunity for every student. With case study scenarios woven throughout the book, the authors explore key equity factors, including per-pupil expenditures, poverty, teacher and principal quality, program equity, and achievement equity. They also walk through the process of implementing the 5-step CReT equity audit within a school district or school at any level. Owings and Kaplan also describe the communication and interpersonal factors that equity advocates will need to leverage to gain community support for equity process, considering the data, and rethinking their policies and practices. In today’s education context, the problems of equitably funding public schools and allocating learning resources to generate more equal opportunities and higher outcomes for traditionally underserved children are particularly relevant. This important book is designed for course use in leadership preparation programs, for practicing principals and superintendents, and for educational leadership scholars.

Designed for aspiring school leaders, this fully updated fourth edition presents the realities of school finance policy and issues, as well as the tools for formulating and managing school budgets. In an era of dwindling fiscal support for public schools, increasing federal mandates, and additional local budget requirements, educational leaders must be able to articulate sound finance theory and application. The authors move beyond coverage found in other texts by providing critical analysis and unique chapters on misconceptions about school finance; fiscal capacity, fiscal effort, adequacy, and efficiency; demographic issues; districts’ strategic plans’ role in budgeting; and spending and student achievement. Examining local, state, and federal education spending, this text gives readers the foundation to understand school finance and knowledgeably educate colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders about its big-picture issues, facts, and trends. The fourth edition of American Public School Finance helps educational leaders at all stages of their careers become informed advocates for education finance practice and reform.New in this edition:Updated discussion of school choice; the pandemic’s impact on student enrollment, funding, and learning; challenges to the structure of school finance; and equity implications of school fundingRefreshed case studies, focus questions, and chapter assignmentsUpdated online supplemental resources, including PowerPoint slides and other additional chapter resources accessible at www.routledge.com/cw/owings

Designed for aspiring school leaders, this fully updated fourth edition presents the realities of school finance policy and issues, as well as the tools for formulating and managing school budgets. In an era of dwindling fiscal support for public schools, increasing federal mandates, and additional local budget requirements, educational leaders must be able to articulate sound finance theory and application. The authors move beyond coverage found in other texts by providing critical analysis and unique chapters on misconceptions about school finance; fiscal capacity, fiscal effort, adequacy, and efficiency; demographic issues; districts’ strategic plans’ role in budgeting; and spending and student achievement. Examining local, state, and federal education spending, this text gives readers the foundation to understand school finance and knowledgeably educate colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders about its big-picture issues, facts, and trends. The fourth edition of American Public School Finance helps educational leaders at all stages of their careers become informed advocates for education finance practice and reform.New in this edition:Updated discussion of school choice; the pandemic’s impact on student enrollment, funding, and learning; challenges to the structure of school finance; and equity implications of school fundingRefreshed case studies, focus questions, and chapter assignmentsUpdated online supplemental resources, including PowerPoint slides and other additional chapter resources accessible at www.routledge.com/cw/owings

Designed for aspiring school leaders, this text presents the realities of school finance policy and issues, as well as the tools for formulating and managing school budgets. In an era of dwindling fiscal support for public schools, increasing federal mandates, and additional local budget requirements, educational leaders must be able to articulate sound finance theory and application. The authors move beyond coverage found in other texts by providing critical analysis and unique chapters on misconceptions about school finance; fiscal capacity, fiscal effort, adequacy, and efficiency; demographic issues; and spending and student achievement. Examining local, state, and federal education spending, this text gives readers the foundation to understand school finance and knowledgeably educate colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders about its big-picture issues, facts, and trends. The new edition of American Public School Finance will help educational leaders at all stages of their careers become informed advocates for education finance practice and reform.New in this edition: Expanded coverage on school choice Discussion of new standards and law Updated exploration of student demographics and its impact on learning Advanced pedagogical features such as connections to the latest Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), Focus Questions, Case Studies, and Chapter Questions/AssignmentsComplementary electronic resources designed to deepen and extend the topics in each chapter and to provide instructors with lecture slides and other teaching strategies.

Organizational Behavior for School Leadership provides a theoretical and practical framework to help emerging leaders build the mental models they need to be effective. Presenting traditional, modern, and contemporary perspectives, each chapter offers opportunities for readers to reflect on the ideas and apply their leadership perspective and skills to their own work settings. In this way, this important book helps graduate students in educational leadership understand organizational situations and circumstances, an essential step in making appropriate decisions about people, school operations, and the community that generate improved student and teacher outcomes. Special features include:Guiding questions—chapter openers to initiate student thinking.Case studies and companion rubrics—engage students in applying content to real-life school scenarios with guiding rubrics to help think through answers.Reflections and relevance—interactive learning activities, simulations, and graphic assignments deepen readers' understanding.PSEL Standards—each chapter aligns with the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders.Companion website—includes case studies and rubrics, supplementary materials, additional readings, and PowerPoint slides for instructors.