From School Improvement to Sustained Capacity

Frank Crowther is an internationally respected scholar and researcher in educational manage-ment and leadership. He is professor and direc-tor of the Leadership Research Institute at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. In 1997, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Australian Council for Educational Administra-tion in recognition of his services to educational leadership.

List of Tables List of Figures Foreword by Andy Hargreaves Preface Introduction Acknowledgments About the Author 1. The COSMIC C-B Approach: A Prelude Introduction COSMIC C-B in Brief The School Research Origins of COSMIC C-B The Phase A Research The Phase B Research The Phase C Research Concluding Comment 2. The First C-B Dynamic: Committing to Revitalization Introduction A Snapshot of Committing to Revitalization: Carmichael Secondary College Committing to Revitalization: Deepening Our Understanding Leadership for Committing to Revitalization Thinking Outside the Square: Al Gore and Committing to Revitalization Conclusion Committing to Revitalization: Building Personal Capacity 3. The Second C-B Dynamic: Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence Introduction A Snapshot of Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Bellwood Secondary School Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Deepening Our Understanding Organizational Coherence as Structural Alignment Organizational Coherence as Cognitive Alignment Organizational Coherence as Structural and Cognitive Alignment Leadership for Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence Thinking "Outside-the-Square": Organizational Coherence When Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus Conclusion Organizational Diagnosis and Coherence: Building Personal Capacity 4. The Third C-B Dynamic: Seeking New Heights Introduction A Snapshot of Seeking New Heights: Carlo Maria Carafa High School Seeking New Heights: Deepening Our Understanding Leadership for Seeking New Heights Summary Seeking New Heights: Building Personal Capacity 5. The Fourth C-B Dynamic: Micro-Pedagogical Deepening Introduction A Snapshot of Micro-Pedagogical Deepening: Greenfield Elementary School Thinking Outside the Square: The Grameen Way and Micro Pedagogical Deepening Conclusion Micro-Pedagogical Deepening - Building Personal Capacity 6. The Fifth C-B Dynamic: Invoking Reaction Introduction A Snapshot of Invoking Reaction: Eacham High School Invoking Reaction: Deepening Our Understanding Leadership for Invoking Reaction Thinking Outside the Square: Medecins Sans Frontieres and Invoking Reaction Conclusion Invoking Reaction: Building Personal Capacity 7. The Sixth C-B Dynamic: Consolidating Success Introduction A Snapshot of Consolidating Success: All Hallows Catholic Elementary School Consolidating Success: Deepening Our Understanding The Systemic Perspective on Consolidating Success The Metanoia Perspective on Consolidating Success The Culture Perspective on Consolidating Success The Leadership Perspective on Consolidating Success Consolidating Success: Steve "Crocodile Hunter" Summary Consolidating Success: Building Personal Capacity 8. Next Steps Along the Parallel Leadership C-B Pathway Introduction COSMIC C-B in Retrospect and Prospect Parallel Leadership in Retrospect and Prospect Conclusion Appendix A: The IDEAS Project Appendix B: The Research Design and Methodology References Index

"Our ability to build capacity in order to ensure student learning is paramount. This book takes us step-by-step through the process of building capacity, giving practical examples and offering simulations that any school leader can use to improve student learning." -- David G. Hodgdon, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction "Crowther and his colleagues provide the most important volume to date about the critical place of "capacity-building' in the role of sustaining school improvement. They have also crafted a masterful, and eminently useful, guide to reshape leadership in the service of sustained success." -- Joseph Murphy, Frank W. Mayburn Chair "We yearn for sustainability, for without it, the future is bleak indeed. Frank Crowther and his associates have given us a uniquely integrated approach to sustainability. The ideas for meaningful work, questions for inquiry, case studies-in both educational and noneducational settings-and vivid simulations provide an accessible roadmap." -- Linda Lambert, Ed.D., Author and Professor Emeritus "Frank Crowther and his associates show us deeply and clearly how to build the foundation for sustainability. They take us on a marvelous journey that weaves together a powerful conceptual framework, concrete snapshots of schools using the ideas, and tools and activities for getting there yourself. Engagement, clarity, and impact are at the core of this terrific book." -- Michael Fullan, Professor and Author "A very detailed and informative book that will assist beginning and seasoned administrators in organizing and restructuring their schools to meet the needs of the 21st century." -- Belinda J. Raines, Principal "A fine survey on achieving long-term school improvement, from an author who makes a case for capacity building and parallel leadership as keys to sustainable improvement." -- James A. Cox, Editor in Chief