Decision Making for Educational Leaders: Underexamined Dimensions and Issues (Educational Leadership) - Softcover

Johnson Jr., Bob L.; Kruse, Sharon D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1438429169 ISBN 13: 9781438429168

Publisher: State University of New York Press, 2010

Synopsis

A guide to decision making for school administrators.

Why another book on decision making? In this increasingly complex world, there are many tensions inherent in the daily practice of school leaders. This book illuminates these tensions, and acknowledges the reality that there are already multiple approaches to decision making in any school. The authors offer a guide to integrate the influences of school and community members as well as data and organizational context into the decision making process. They focus on underexamined dimensions of decision making, including 1) the art of theory-use; 2) organizational context; 3) political dynamics; 4) inferential leaps and causal assumptions; 5) the role of intuition; 6) data-driven decision making; 7) the role of emotions and affect; and 8) making the tough decision. Dispositions that enhance success are highlighted. These ideas will empower school principals, superintendents, and other leaders to approach with confidence the decisions they are called on to make.

About this title

From the Back Cover

Why another book on decision making? In this increasingly complex world, there are many tensions inherent in the daily practice of educational leaders. This book illuminates these tensions, and acknowledges the reality that there are already multiple approaches to decision making in any educational context. The authors offer a guide to integrate the influences of school and community members as well as data and organizational context into the decision making process. They focus on underexamined dimensions of decision making, including (1) the art of theory-use, (2) organizational context, (3) political dynamics, (4) inferential leaps and causal assumptions, (5) the role of intuition, (6) data-driven decision making, (7) the role of emotions and affect, and (8) making the tough decision. Dispositions that enhance success are highlighted. These ideas will empower school principals, superintendents, and other educational leaders to approach with confidence the decisions they are called on to make.

"Well written and a very engaging read, the volume does an outstanding job of bringing together diverse lenses from several fields to help understand the dynamics of decision making in school settings." -- Ronald H. Heck, author of Studying Educational and Social Policy: Theoretical Concepts and Research Methods

"A must read for prospective school leaders." -- Alan R. Shoho, University of Texas at San Antonio

About the Author

Bob L. Johnson Jr. is Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Utah. Sharon D. Kruse is Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Akron. Her books include Building Strong School Cultures: A Guide to Leading Change.

Edition details

• Publisher: State University of New York Press
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1438429169
• ISBN 13: 9781438429168
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 252