Meaningful Conversations

By Angela Webster-Smith; Shelly Albritton and Patricia Kohler-Evans

Imagine a school in which gathering around the table to have meaningful conversations is commonplace and unencumbered by roles and positions. Such discourse is not only meaningful, but also significant, purposeful, valuable, filled with intention, and result oriented. There is a spirit of trust that affords an interchange of thoughts and ideas that promote dialogue and heart-to-heart communication.Meaningful Conversations invites readers who earnestly desire high achievement for all students in all American schools to the table for a nine-course meal of food for thought that, altogether, satisfies educators' hunger for comprehensive and transformative school improvement. Addressing critical issues in contemporary schools-including leadership, school culture, curriculum, and assessment-this book offers conversation pieces that describe success standards for schools and conversation points that specifically address the unique responsibilities of district leaders, administrators, and teachers.

PrefaceIntroduction1.Leadership2.Organizational Structure and Resources3.School Culture4.Family and Community Support5.Curriculum6.Instruction7.Assessment8.Professional Growth and the Continuous Improvement Cycle9.Conclusions and Effective PlanningAbout the Authors