Today’s emphasis on student learning outcomes, coupled with federal legislation to that end, has placed more demands on the role of the principal than ever before in our nation’s history. To address the heightened demands for greater accountability for student learning, The Principalship uses a learning-centered approach, one that emphasizes the role of the principal as the steward of the school’s vision: learning for all. The critical aspects of the teaching–learning process are addressed here, including student motivation; individual differences; classroom management; assessing student learning; and developing, maintaining, and changing school culture. In addition, several topics not found in other principalship texts are addressed, including school safety, special education, gifted education, bilingual education, nontraditional organizational structures, gender-inclusive theories, diversity, ethics, political and policy context, human resource management, legal issues, and collective bargaining. The book is documented extensively throughout and grounded in the latest research and theory with suggestions for applying theory to practice, reflecting cutting-edge research and topical issues facing principals in schools today.
Frederick C. Lunenburg is Jimmy N. Merchant Professor of Education at Sam Houston State University. Previously, he was on the faculty of educational administration at the University of Louisville, Loyola University Chicago, and Southern Utah University, where he also served as Dean of the College of Education. In addition, he has held public school positions as high school English teacher and reading specialist, high school principal, and superintendent of schools. Dr. Lunenburg’s scholarship includes forty-eight books, twenty-three book chapters, and more than two hundred articles published in both practitioner and academic/research journals.
Beverly J. Irby is Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Regents Professor, and Marilyn Kent Byrne Endowed Chair for Student Success at Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas. In addition, she serves as Director of the Educational Leadership Research Center at Texas A & M University. She is editor of the following research journals: Mentoring and Tutoring, Advancing Women in Leadership, Dual Language and Practice, and Education Policy Briefs. She is Principal Investigator: SEED Grant (APLUS) and OELA Grants (PAL and MOOPIL). Dr. Irby has written numerous books, research reports, and articles, many of which have been presented at regional, national, and international meetings.
