Shaking Up the Schoolhouse

"Once again, Phil Schlechty demonstrates why I consider him to be one of the clearest minds in American education. He knows how important public education is to our democracy and has real ideas for making it better. This book is a must-read for policymakers at any level and for those who think and care about school improvement."
--Paul D. Houston, executive director, American Association of School Administrators

"Schlechty shares leading-edge insights and offers practical guidance to anyone who affects student learning. His suggestions are wonderful dialogue starters for educators searching for ways to make dramatic improvement in schools."
--Dennis Sparks, executive director, National Staff Development Council

In this visionary book, renowned educator Phillip Schlechty argues for change-adept school systems. He not only challenges educational administrators, teachers, teacher leaders, legislators, and policymakers to recognize the need for transformation, but also shows how they can grow into skillful leaders of lasting change. Shaking Up the Schoolhouse begins with an incisive discussion of the dangers and opportunities in reworking school systems. Drawing from decades of experience and from actual cases, the author describes the essential characteristics of change-adept organizations. He then presents a practical framework for helping teachers to overcome obstacles in the learning experience, from reviewing the competition to improving student engagement through more effective standards. Schlechty also focuses on empowering principals, superintAndents, and school board members as they struggle with structural and cultural change in their schools and communities. Preface.

The Author.

Part One: Understanding the System.

1. Introduction: Social Change and School Reform.

2. Characteristics of Change-Adept Organizations.

Part Two: Creating Quality Learning Experiences.

3. Focusing on Results.

4. Getting Down to Business.

5. Learning from Competitors.

6. Assessing the Quality of Schoolwork.

7. Using the WOW Framework.

Part Three: Transformational Leadership.

8. Leading Structural and Cultural Change.

9. Empowered Leaders: Questions of Style and Substance.

10. Who's on First? A Personal View.

11. Epilogue: A Future for Public Education?

Notes.

Index.

"This book would no doubt intrigue those administrators who would like to learn more about one of the brightest minds in education." (Childhood Education, Winter 2007-2008)

THE AUTHOR

PHILLIP C. SCHLECHTY is founder and chief executive officer of the Center for Leadership in School Reform and the best-selling author of Working on the Work, Schools for the 21st Century, and Inventing Better Schools which won the National Staff Development Council's "Outstanding Staff Development Book" award. In addition to advising school districts throughout the United States and Canada, Schlechty conducts seminars and training sessions for superintendents, school board members, union leaders, principals, teachers, and parent groups.

Praise for Shaking Up the Schoolhouse

"Shaking Up the Schoolhouse is all about empowering leaders so they can improve schools. This book is a must-read for policymakers at any level and for those who think and care about school improvement."
—Paul D. Houston, executive director, American Association of School Administrators

"Schlechty's recommendations to school board members, central office staff, union leaders, principals, teachers, parents, and state legislators make this an important resource for creating schools in which all staff and students are learning and performing at high levels. Schlechty's suggestions are wonderful dialogue starters for educators searching for ways to make dramatic improvement in schools."
—Dennis Sparks, executive director, National Staff Development Council

"I have worked with Phil Schlechty for over twenty years and I continue to learn from him. Shaking Up the Schoolhouse is filled with sound suggestions for school leaders, as well as practical suggestions for parents and politicians. Those familiar with Schlechty's work will find fresh and new insights in these pages."
—Gerry House, president and CEO, Institute for Student Achievement, and former Superintendent of the Year

"Schlechty's solution to improving public education is straightforward: focus on the quality of students' work. Engaging and loaded with ideas, Shaking Up the Schoolhouse brings together experience and theory in a single volume of wisdom."
—Betty Lou Whitford, professor of education and director of the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching, Teachers College, Columbia University