Schools That Change: Evidence-Based Improvement and Effective Change Leadership - Softcover

Lew Smith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1412949521 ISBN 13: 9781412949521

Publisher: Corwin Press, 2007

Synopsis

"Schools That Change integrates equal parts passion and intellect. A well-crafted contribution to the literature on successful reform and a sophisticated and nuanced book that should be read with care."
-From the Foreword by M

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Lew Smith received his BA, MA and School Administration/Supervision Certificate from Brooklyn College and his EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University. He began his career as a social studies teacher in New York City high schools, where his interdisciplinary course in American History, titled The American Dream, became a textbook published by Scott Foresman and adopted nation-wide. Lew Smith served as the principal of a New York City high school; the executive director of America’s first settlement house, a multi-social service agency; and the principal of a suburban junior-senior high school.

Dr. Smith conceived and directed the NYC Middle School Initiative, which ultimately launched middle school reform in 26 of NYC’s 32 community school districts. He facilitated the creation of 82 school-based leadership teams for the Newark, New Jersey school system.

Lew Smith has served as an Associate Professor in Educational Leadership and Associate Dean, Program Development and Outreach at the Fordham University Graduate School of Education. As a member of the educational leadership faculty, Dr. Smith directed the revision and expansion of the Master’s Program in Educational Administration, which generated more than 200 well-prepared school administrators between 2000-2003. Dr. Smith, working with a Fordham team and external partners conceived and directed a Critical Issues in Education Conference Series, the National School Change Awards, and the National Principals Leadership Institute.

Dr. Smith’s research and teaching focus is on leadership development and school change. He has presented papers and conducted workshops in numerous school districts, at regional conferences, and at national conferences conducted by the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), American Educational Research Association (AERA), Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), and the University Council of Educational Administration (UCEA). Four commentaries authored by Dr. Smith have appeared in Education Week.

Dr. Smith has been involved in extensive school restructuring and school design work, including the creation of three small New York City high schools dedicated to the themes of public service and social justice. Additionally, Dr. Smith helped with the restructuring of four K-8 schools and two high schools in Paterson, NJ; the design of a middle school in Baltimore, MD; and the redesign of four secondary schools in Newburgh, NY. He prepared Milwaukee, WI educators for the redesign of all eighteen high schools in their district and facilitated a new Aspiring Principals program for the San Francisco, CA Unified School District. Dr. Smith is married, with four children and one grandchild, all of who have attended public schools. Lew Smith is an avid reader, cook, and vegetable gardener.

Review

"The author uses the individual school stories to tie educational research to the actual plan. Anyone interested in change can use it as a very clear road map to success!" Author: A. Joanne Cockrell, Retired Principal Published On: 2006-10-27

"Lew Smith has identified eight incredible stories of change. This is a testament to the abilities of incredible people with an uncommon vision." Author: Rob Carroll, Principal Published On: 2006-11-08

"In a thorough review of the literature, Smith describes both the beauty and the challenge of change. The messages and the lessons learned are grounded in the stories of real schools and the paths they took to work their way up to become high-performing schools. These stories will resonate with school leaders everywhere, particularly urban educators. The book is a great contribution to the field and is needed now more than ever."

Author: Beverly L. Hall, Superintendent Published On: 2006-12-15

"Provides every school with many valuable strategies to consider.” Author: W. Norton Grubb, David Gardner Chair in Higher Education Published On: 2007-01-12

"An engaging, practitioner-friendly examination of successful school improvement from inside the school. Smith provides eight vivid portraits of schools that were once failing but that have subsequently pulled themselves together and improved dramatically. By blending theories of change with the policies and practices that have facilitated success across a variety of educational contexts, this text provides both instruction and hope to educators, parents, policy makers, and aspiring school leaders. It should be on the short list of required reading for all school stakeholders." Author: Stephen L. Jacobson, Professor and Associate Dean Published On: 2007-01-24

"This book vividly illuminates the incredible power of leadership as the key factor in turning schools around. The stories from the eight featured schools provide us with a bold and unvarnished account of the courage and tenacity of principals and teacher leaders who won’t accept the ′status quo′ when that means accepting unsafe schools, failures in student learning, and policies that thwart effective instruction. This book will be incredibly useful for discussions among practicing and future educational leaders." Author: Kyla L. Wahlstrom, Director

“Schools that Change captures that rare combination of intellectual rigor, challenging vision, and the passion. I have been eagerly awaiting this book to share with our Board and with all of our educators. Beyond the mechanistic change processes that are observed all too often, Lew helps us locate the work squarely where it resides; in the messy, organic world of human organizations where leaders must understand and work though the change essentials of context, capacity and conversations. In addition, by telling the stories of courageous school leaders, who have led schools of all sizes and levels throughout the United States, Lew has written a singular work that not only teaches .... it inspires and informs all of us who dream of sustained excellence in our schools that yes – it can be done!” Author: Duane Brothers, superintendent and CEO

“A rich guide for educators interested in nuts-and-bolts tools and resources to support the journey from low to high performance. Lew Smith has powerfully captured the lessons learned in his magnificently colorful portraits of eight schools selected for the National School Change Award. Practitioners will find Schools that Change to be wonderfully grounded in evidenced-based research and documented best practice." Author: Larry Leverett, Executive Director Published On: 2007-05-11

“At last, a book that provides practical guidance by focusing on schools that have improved. Schools That Change offers sound insights from experienced educators on what it takes to create the schools we need to educate America′s children.” Author: Pedro Noguera, Director, Metropolitan Center for Urban Education Published On: 2007-05-10

"Smith′s book captures real school change where it counts most: in schools and classrooms, and for children, teachers, and communities. A must-read!" Author: Bruce Cooper, Professor of Educational Leadership

About this edition

• Publisher: Corwin Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 1412949521
• ISBN 13: 9781412949521
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320