Developing Effective Principals Through Collaborative Inquiry (Critical Issues in Educational Leadership Series)

This book describes a powerful professional development model for new and experienced principals―a collaborative inquiry leadership seminar. The authors combine successful models of structured professional conversations about education into an ongoing leadership development experience that will work in all districts, particularly larger, urban ones. They examine how to develop and manage collaborative inquiry with principals, the facilitator’s role in guiding inquiry, and outcomes that can be expected. Featuring a user-friendly presentation with many practical examples, the book:

• Presents an effective, low-cost program for successful professional development with school principals (K–12).
• Describes in detail the steps required to implement a collaborative inquiry leadership seminar.
• Encourages administrators at the school and district level to contribute to constructive, practical dialogues about significant issues.
• Provides a clear alternative to present models, which frequently foster unproductive, adversarial relationships.
• Includes case studies that demonstrate how the program can benefit principals, schools, teachers, and students.

Mónica Byrne-Jiménez is on the faculty of Hofstra University School of Education and Allied Human Services. Margaret Terry Orr is on the faculty of Bank Street College and is the co-founder of a New York City–focused school improvement initiative.