Competency-Based Leadership

A Guide for High Performance in the Role of the School Principal

By (author) M. Scott Norton

Publication date:

10 July 2013

Length of book:

198 pages

Publisher

R&L Education

Dimensions:

261x184mm
7x10"

ISBN-13: 9781475802337

Competency-Based Leadership is intended for school leaders that currently are serving as practitioners in the field. In addition, those individuals who aspire to a career in the principalship also will find the information of special value. The primary purpose of the book is to provide practicing principals and others to meet the challenges related to learning leadership. The book serves as a guide for ensuring the accomplishment of the goal of establishing a learning culture in the school. Persons who use the book will gain the knowledge and skills that are required for becoming an effective learning-leader in practice.

Chapter 1—The Building of the School Principalship in America

The Primary Chapter Goal

The School Principal: A Historical Perspective
Establishment of American Schools
Horace Mann and Universal Education
Benjamin Rush and the Spirit of Nationalism
Common Schools in America
The Emergence of the Junior High School
The Development of the American High School and the Evolution of the School Principalship
The Lancastrian System of Instruction
The Emergence and Development of the Position of Assistant Principal
The School Principal’s Limited Role as an Assistant Principal
Changing Roles of the Assistant Principal

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 2—Theory and Concepts Into Practice: Foundations for the Work of the School Principal

The Primary Chapter Goal

Theory and Concepts and Their Influence on the Work of the School Principal
The Scientific Management Era: Its Influence on the Growth of the Principalship
The Human Relations Era and Its Influence on the Growth of the Principalship
The Behavioral Science Era and the Years of Postmodernism
Contemporary Problems encountered By School Principals
Keeping the Quality School Principals on the Job
Primary Responsibilities of the School Principal
Major Issues and Problems Facing Education: Implications for the Work of the School Principal

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 3—Competency-Based Administration and Its Implications for the Work of the School Principal

The Primary Chapter Goal

The Competency Concept and Its Implications for the School Principal
Characteristics and Behaviors of the Competency-Based School Principal
A Competency-Based Personal Growth Model for the School Principal
The ISLLC Standards and Their Knowledge Requirements for School Leaders
NASSP Administrative Skill Dimensions
The School Principal’s Job Description: Identification of Required Competencies
Core Competencies of the School Principal
Ethics and Responsibilities of the School Principal: Important Competency-Based Characteristics

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 4—The School’s Vision and Mission—Foundations for Effective Planning, Organization, and Decision-Making by the School Principal

The Primary Chapter Goal

The School Principal’s Administrative Philosophy
The Planning Process: A Foundational Responsibility of the School Principal
Problem Analysis, A Required Skill for Decision-Making
Organizational Theory: A Basis for Decision-Making
How Does the Principal Demonstrate Decisiveness?
Sources of Power and Decision-Making
Decision-Making as a Group Process

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 5—Organizational Culture and Organizational Climate: The School Principal and Staff Relationships

The Primary Chapter Goal

School Culture and Climate: Can They Be Defined?

How the School Benefits from Understanding the Culture in Which It is Embedded
Organizational Climate and Its Impact on Significant Aspects of School Programs
How Does School Climate and School Culture Enhance School Improvement, Including the Staff Development Process?
How the School Principal Can Determine the Status of the School Climate
The Implementation of the Human Resources Process at the Local School Level
Job Satisfaction and the Climate of the School
Best Practices for Improving the School’s Climate: What the Research Says

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 6—The Principal’s Leadership for Building Positive School-Communitiy Relations

The Primary Chapter Goal

The Public Relations Competencies and Indicators of Competency of the School Principal
School Public Relations Suggestions for Local School Principals
The Teacher’s Role in Fostering Positive Community-School Relations
School Support Personnel and Their Importance in an Effective Public Relations Program
The Leadership Responsibilities of the School Superintendent in Promoting an Effective Public Relations Program
Working With the Media
An Operational Model for Planning, Initiating, Implementing and Evaluating the School’s Public Relations Program

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 7—The Legal World of the School Principal: Legislation, Court Rulings, School Board Policy, Administrative Regulations, and School Rules & Procedures.

The Primary Chapter Goal

The Legal Basis for Public School Operations: The Federal Government
Landmark Court Cases With Direct Implications for the Work of the School Principal
K-12 Facts for Education in America: Education is Big Business
The Legal Basis for Educational Operations: The State Government
Policy, Regulations, By-Laws and Rules: Who Does What?
School Board Policies and Their Influence on the Work of the School Principal
Characteristics of Effective School District Policies

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 8—Planning and Organizing: Foundational Skills Required of the School Principal

The Primary Chapter Goal

The School as an Important Component of School System
Systems Theory and Its Implications for Effective Planning
The Benefits of Internal and External Scanning
Short and Long-Range Planning
Strategic and Operational Planning
Statement of Strategic Objectives
Analysis of the Gap Between the Vision and Current Practices
Strategies for Decreasing the Gap
Influences on Organizational Development
Viewing School Organization in Different Ways
Planning, Organizing and Accountability

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 9—The School Principal’s Responsibilities for Curriculum Development and Instructional Leadership

The Primary Chapter Goal

What is Curriculum and Why Is Its Conception Important for Practice in Schools?
Curricular Issues and the Related Problems That School Principals Must Face
Designing the Curriculum
Examining the Curriculum from Various Theoretical Perspectives
The Primary Responsibilities of the School Principal for Curriculum Development
The School Principal as an Instructional Supervisor
How Curriculum is Oranized
The School Principal and Program Supervision as Related to Curriculum Development
The Evaluation of Teacher Performance
The Classroom Visitation
The Improvement of Student Achievement

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter10- Performance Appraisal and Staff Development: Access to Progress

The Primary Chapter Goal

Performance Appraisal and the Work of the School Principal
Performance Evaluation Methods and Activities Utilized by School Principals
The Timing of the Classroom Visitation
The Staff Development Process
The RPTIM Model for Staff Development
Selected Methods and Strategies for Implementing Staff Development in Schools
Team Projects, Think-Tank Activities and Shadow Groups
The Use of Teacher Talent in Related School Programs
Clinical Supervision, A Formative Classroom Evaluation Model
Classified Employee Staff Development Methods and Strategies

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 11—The Principal as a Student Advocate: Administration of Pupil Personnel Services and Special Needs Programs

The Primary Chapter Goal

The District Office of Personnel Services and Its Common Program Services
The Pupil Personnel Services Function: An Increasing Responsibility of the School Principal
Student Services at the Local School Level
The Student: The School’s Number One Client
The School Principal as a Student Advocate
Descriptions of Selected Legislative Acts Concerning Pupil Personnel Services
The Special Education Program
The School Principal and Special Education

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Chapter 12—Budgeting Responsibilities of the School Principal: New Demands for Accountability

The Primary School Goal

School Finance, A Historical Inhibiting Factor of Educational Quality
The School Principal: Accountability for Managing the School Budget
School-Based Management and the Responsibilities of the School Principal
Changing Rules for Principals in SBA School Districts
Building a School Budget
An Operations Model for the Procedural Flow of Budget Preparation
Accounting Procedures
The School District and School Spending Audits

Summary
References
Discussion Questions
Case Studies

Compenency-Based Leadership will be one of those books that stays on my top ten reading list. The knowledge base, understandings and skill sets outlined in this book are the essential ingredients for becoming and remaining a high performing principal. Principals and aspiring principals should make this book a "must read".