The School Superintendent
Theory, Practice, and Cases

Third Edition

Theodore J. Kowalski

Courses:
Superintendency

November 2012 | 448 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

The School Superintendent: Theory, Practice, and Cases is the essential guide to succeeding as a superintendent or as an administrator in another district-level position. Comprehensive in both theory and practice, this textbook and reference guide examines the role and responsibilities of school district administration in professional, social, philosophical, and political frames, while balancing perspectives of rewards and challenges commonly expressed by school superintendents. Important topics covered include the emerging role of superintendent as communicator, the changing conditions in districts and schools, inadequate funding for public schools, and the treatment of policy administration, leadership roles, and community involvement.

Fully updated, the Third Edition provides: greater emphasis on the challenges facing novice superintendents; new material on strategic planning and visioning; new and expanded coverage of contemporary issues such as inadequate district funding and social challenges; additional figures, tables, key terms, and other helpful learning tools; and more.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781452241081	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $179.00	Bookstore Price: $143.20
ISBN: 9781544331157	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $117.00	Bookstore Price: $93.60

See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email sageheoa@sagepub.com. Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html.

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Preface

PART I: THE POSITION: ROLES AND CONTEXT

1. Defining Practice

2. Society and Schools

PART II: SCHOOL DISTRICTS: STRUCTURE AND AUTHORITY

3. School Districts as Organizations

4. School Boards

5. Superintendent and School Board Relationships

6. School District Policy

PART III: SUPERINTENDENT LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

7. Providing Leadership at the District Level

8. Community Leadership

9. Material Resources Management

10. Human Resources Management

PART IV: PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES

11. Contemporary Challenges

12. Personal Dispositions and Practice

13. Seeking the Position

Author Index

Subject Index

About the Author

I am still reviewing the contents and will probably adopt and have on the shelf this summer in the bookstore.

Dr. Stokes

Dr Dorothy Stokes

Educational Leadership, Jackson State University

March 21, 2014

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Key features

Marketing Features & Benefits

Provides case studies at the beginning of each chapter to encourage the reader to engage in reflection by linking content with problems of practice
Includes reflective summaries, a list of key terms, and pertinent questions at the end of each chapter
Describes contemporary superintendency in the context of five role conceptualizations—professional educator, business manager, statesman, social scientist, communicator—by tracing the evolution of the role expectations and discussing their continued emphasis in current practice
Integrates theory and practice by using cases and questions to connect content to students' everyday experiences
Emphasizes tensions between centralization and decentralization, particularly in relation to policy development and enforcement
Focuses on attributes of effective practice including instructional leadership, relational communication, decision making, ethical practice, personal career planning, and professional growth
Differentiates between leadership and management and posits that greater attention to leadership does not diminish the need for and importance of competent management

NEW TO THE THIRD EDITION

Greater emphasis is given to the challenges facing novice superintendents.
Key terms of practice are added at the end of each chapter.
Content relating to strategic planning, and especially visioning, are revised and expanded.
Evolving contemporary issues, such as inadequate district funding and social challenges, are added or expanded.
More figures and tables are included.
References throughout the book are updated, especially those related to research on the superintendency.
Data throughout the book is updated, primarily by referencing the 2010 decennial study of superintendents.

Sample Materials & Chapters

TOC

CH 7

CH 11

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Sample Materials & Chapters