District Leadership That Works

Bridge the great divide between distanced administrative duties and daily classroom impact. This book introduces high-level leaders to a top-down power mechanism called "defined autonomy," a concept that focuses on district-defined, nonnegotiable, common goals and a system of accountability supported by assessment tools. Defined autonomy creates an effective balance of centralized direction and individualized empowerment that allows building leaders and classroom teachers to maintain stylistic freedom to respond quickly and effectively to student failure. District Leadership That Works offers research-based recommendations for setting and monitoring nonnegotiable goals for achievement and instruction at district and school levels. While district-defined goals are essential, effective leadership involves a collaborative effort among schools, teacher unions, students, and community members. This book not only addresses teacher accountability to ensure classroom effectiveness, but it also addresses leaders' responsibility to get the right resources and support to educators.