School District Leadership Matters

Preface. References. Acknowledgments. 1: Where Theory Meets Practice. Our Case Study Methodology. The District Case. The Socio-Political Context of Discovery School District. Charting a New Course. References. 2: Leadership and Organizational Learning. Confronting the Challenge. How Can Formal Leaders Facilitate Collaborative Leadership and Organizational Learning? Study One. Study Two. Study Three. Study Four. Study Five. Implications for the Implementation and Practice of Collaborative Leadership. References. 3: Meeting the Challenges of Hierarchy through District Leadership. Overcoming Resistance to Collaborative Leadership through District Leadership. My Voice. Through the Lens of Critical Friends. References. 4: Establishing Collaborative Structures. My Voice. Nurturing Collaborative Leadership at Discovery School District. Collaboratively Defining Shared Decision-Making. Through the Lens of Critical Friends. Analysis of the Structural Changes. Teacher Perceptions of Collaboration. Conclusion. References. 5: Strategic Thinking and Adaptive Learning. My Voice. Strategic Planning in Discovery School District. Developing a Shared Vision for Teaching and Learning. Personal Reflections. A Final Observation. Through the Lens of Critical Friends. References. 6: Professional Development and Capacity Building. Professional Development in Discovery School District. My Voice. Adopting a New Approach to Professional Development. Through the Lens of Critical Friends. References. 7: Systems Challenges to Growth and Sustainability of Meaningful Educational Reform. Toward Meaningful School Reform. Systems Thinking in Discovery School District. Systems Challenges to the Discovery School District Reform Agenda. Challenge 1: Government Control of Financial and Human Resources. Challenge 2: The Difficult Transition from Purpose to Practice. Challenge 3: Localized Education in a Globalized World. Challenge 4: A Market Oriented Approach to School District Restructuring. References. 8: Recognizing What Makes Effective School Districts. Recognitions: Discussion, Implications, and Recommendations. Final Thoughts. References.