From School Improvement to Sustained Capacity

Frank Crowther is an internationally respected scholar and researcher in educational manage­ment and leadership. He is professor and direc­tor of the Leadership Research Institute at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. In 1997, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Australian Council for Educational Administra­tion in recognition of his services to educational leadership.

The definitive approach to achieving long-term school improvementBestselling author Frank Crowther makes a compelling case for capacity building and parallel leadership as the keys to ensuring sustainable improvement. Based on a study of how school leaders collaborated to enhance quality in their workplaces, this book: Outlines six research-based dynamics for accomplishing lasting resultsProvides real-life examples of successful parallel leadership among school staffDemonstrates effective capacity building in multiple settingsEverything you need to build a successful and sustainable plan that is rooted in enduring principles is right here, complete with practical examples and proven tools.

List of TablesList of FiguresForeword by Andy HargreavesPrefaceIntroductionAcknowledgmentsAbout the Author1. The COSMIC C-B Approach: A Prelude Introduction COSMIC C-B in Brief The School Research Origins of COSMIC C-B The Phase A Research The Phase B Research The Phase C Research Concluding Comment2. The First C-B Dynamic: Committing to Revitalization Introduction A Snapshot of Committing to Revitalization: Carmichael Secondary College Committing to Revitalization: Deepening Our Understanding Leadership for Committing to Revitalization Thinking Outside the Square: Al Gore and Committing to Revitalization Conclusion Committing to Revitalization: Building Personal Capacity3. The Second C-B Dynamic: Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence Introduction A Snapshot of Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Bellwood Secondary School Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Deepening Our Understanding Organizational Coherence as Structural Alignment Organizational Coherence as Cognitive Alignment Organizational Coherence as Structural and Cognitive Alignment Leadership for Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence Thinking "Outside-the-Square": Organizational Coherence When Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus Conclusion Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Building Personal Capacity4. The Third C-B Dynamic: Seeking New Heights Introduction A Snapshot of Seeking New Heights: Carlo Maria Carafa High School Seeking New Heights: Deepening Our Understanding Leadership for Seeking New Heights Summary Seeking New Heights: Building Personal Capacity 5. The Fourth C-B Dynamic: Micro-Pedagogical Deepening Introduction A Snapshot of Micro-Pedagogical Deepening: Greenfield Elementary School Thinking Outside the Square: The Grameen Way and Micro Pedagogical Deepening Conclusion Micro-Pedagogical Deepening - Building Personal Capacity6. The Fifth C-B Dynamic: Invoking Reaction Introduction A Snapshot of Invoking Reaction: Eacham High School Invoking Reaction: Deepening Our Understanding Leadership for Invoking Reaction Thinking Outside the Square: Médecins Sans Frontières and Invoking Reaction Conclusion Invoking Reaction: Building Personal Capacity 7. The Sixth C-B Dynamic: Consolidating Success Introduction A Snapshot of Consolidating Success: All Hallows Catholic Elementary School Consolidating Success: Deepening Our Understanding The Systemic Perspective on Consolidating Success The Metanoia Perspective on Consolidating Success The Culture Perspective on Consolidating Success The Leadership Perspective on Consolidating Success Consolidating Success: Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Summary Consolidating Success: Building Personal Capacity 8. Next Steps Along the Parallel Leadership C-B Pathway Introduction COSMIC C-B in Retrospect and Prospect Parallel Leadership in Retrospect and Prospect ConclusionAppendix A: The IDEAS Project Appendix B: The Research Design and MethodologyReferencesIndex