We’re starting off 2016 with a deep dive into Instructional Leadership. Throughout January, you’ll hear from authors and experts with proven strategies for leading schools. For this and every theme throughout the year, we’ll provide a short reading list to provide you with even more resources to help you improve practice! So without further ado, below are our recommended reads on Instructional Leadership.
Instructional Leadership Reading List
- Evaluating Instructional Leadership by Ray and Julie Smith
While teacher evaluation methods have improved, instructional leadership evaluation has often stood still—and student learning and achievement have paid the price.
This book identifies the major problems in this process and articulates clear solutions. The result is a blueprint for ensuring the best person for the job is occupying the principal’s chair.
In this book, you’ll find:
- Extensive data, presented in a user-friendly manner
- Clear connections to the ISLLC Standards for School Leaders
- A suite of interactive tools including sample self-assessments, mid-year and final evaluation forms, and professional growth plans
- Creating Productive Cultures in Schools by Joseph Murphy
Leading Researcher Joseph Murphy and his colleague Daniela Torre shed light on two critical issues in education today: student underachievement and how to build effective, high-performing schools. Murphy draws from considerable research and scholarship in the area of school reform. This research is based on meaningful links with the worlds of practice and policy, and builds upon our most robust understanding about school improvement. The book examines the historical footings of the American public school to expose the economic, political, social, and cultural currents that have shaped and continue to influence our understanding of public education and underachievement.
- Creating Instructional Capacity by Joseph Murphy
Technology and the age of information have forced educators to rethink how they can create a supportive culture and build academic press. School leaders who learn how to balance these ideas will build successful teams to meet today’s standards. Joe Murphy unpacks essential elements of building instructional capacity-Academic Press- through effective management of instruction, curriculum, and assessment.
Leaders and change facilitators who read this will:
- Be reminded how effective instruction works and what forces shape it
- Understand how powerful assessment ideas can guide successful change
- Discover secrets to hiring and developing capacity-rich talent
- Know how to approach and manage curriculum for 21st century outcomes
- Leading Connected Classrooms by Robert Dillon
When creative use of technology meets outstanding teaching, incredible learning happens. This insightful guide is for all educators ready to move into a new commitment to true learning.
Principal and respected digital educator Robert Dillon shows readers how to:
- Use student engagement to promote authentic, thoughtful learning
- Learn how 16 innovative connected educators provided incredible learning opportunities for their students
- Implement new technology resources and strategies for all classrooms and grade levels
- Help students build critical thinking skills and gain confidence in their unique voices
5. Flipping Leadership Doesn’t Mean Reinventing the Wheel by Peter DeWitt
In this volume of the Corwin Connected Educators Series, use the principles of connectedness and flipped learning to engage stakeholders digitally—on their time—so they’re ready for productive discussion when you meet in person.
Flipped leadership
- Makes the school community visible to parents
- Creates more authentic staff meetings
- Maximizes communication between parents and school
- Models effective use of technology
