Asking the Right Questions
Tools for Collaboration and School Change
3rd Edition
Published on 4. September 2008
Book
Mixed media product
232 pages
978-1-4129-6275-9 (ISBN)
Description
"This book has something for everyone-the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!"
-Mary Devin, Associate Professor
Kansas State University
"Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on."
-Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director
Connecticut Association of Schools
Use these practical tips and real-world examples to facilitate meaningful school change!
This updated edition of the bestseller on school reform focuses on collaboration at three crucial levels: district, school, and classroom. Recognizing the power of multilevel support, reform expert Edie L. Holcomb provides a structure that helps teams of educators assess a situation, gather information, plan and implement change initiatives, evaluate progress, and sustain change.
In easy-to-understand language, Asking the Right Questions, Third Edition, effectively highlights the issues that need to be addressed when implementing school improvement initiatives. Building on her highly successful framework, the author presents a new discussion on shaping practice, creating effective decision-making structures, and reviewing improvement plans. The new edition also includes
Innovative strategies such as symbolic displays, configuration maps, priority grids, and open space technology
Additional examples of change scenarios from the field
Review questions and chapter summaries that highlight key points
A CD-ROM with figures, customizable forms, and a chapter-by-chapter discussion guide to facilitate individual and group study
From simple policy changes to broad reform, this invaluable guide helps teachers, principals, and administrators work together to visualize and enact changes that improve student achievement.
-Mary Devin, Associate Professor
Kansas State University
"Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on."
-Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director
Connecticut Association of Schools
Use these practical tips and real-world examples to facilitate meaningful school change!
This updated edition of the bestseller on school reform focuses on collaboration at three crucial levels: district, school, and classroom. Recognizing the power of multilevel support, reform expert Edie L. Holcomb provides a structure that helps teams of educators assess a situation, gather information, plan and implement change initiatives, evaluate progress, and sustain change.
In easy-to-understand language, Asking the Right Questions, Third Edition, effectively highlights the issues that need to be addressed when implementing school improvement initiatives. Building on her highly successful framework, the author presents a new discussion on shaping practice, creating effective decision-making structures, and reviewing improvement plans. The new edition also includes
Innovative strategies such as symbolic displays, configuration maps, priority grids, and open space technology
Additional examples of change scenarios from the field
Review questions and chapter summaries that highlight key points
A CD-ROM with figures, customizable forms, and a chapter-by-chapter discussion guide to facilitate individual and group study
From simple policy changes to broad reform, this invaluable guide helps teachers, principals, and administrators work together to visualize and enact changes that improve student achievement.
Reviews / Votes
"A great book with practical advice. It provides all the tools for facilitating change dialogues with clear explanations of what is desired for answering the essential questions." -- Linda Vogel, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies "An effective synthesis of information for implementing, monitoring, and sustaining change in a collaborative way." -- Bess Scott, Principal "Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on." -- Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director "Offers a strong set of strategies for working with adults to gain consensus, reach a goal, or gain insight into the thinking of participants." -- Rita Corbett, Educational Consultant "An excellent book. This is the manual that I have been needing. It simplified the complex and demonstrated that we can really make a difference in our schools and districts." -- Janet Hurt, Associate Superintendent "This book has something for everyone-the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, or the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!" -- Mary Devin, Associate Professor "During my four years in the Kentucky Distinguished Educator Program, this book was my constant companion. On many occasions, the materials and insights I gleaned from this book made my work easier and made me appear to others to be smarter and wiser." -- Stan Laferty, Curriculum Coordinator "The book is supported with concrete examples from real-life experience and is presented with an eye to real problems. It allows the reader to find tools that are appropriate for the local situation and to feel empowered to use the tools in flexible ways." -- Steven R. Thompson, Coordinator, School Leadership ProgramMore details
Edition
3rd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Publishing group
SAGE Publications Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 279 mm
Width: 216 mm
Weight
652 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4129-6275-9 (9781412962759)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
09/2008
3rd Edition
Corwin Press Inc
€107.90
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
Edie L. Holcomb is executive director of curriculum and instructional services for Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She has experienced the challenges of improving student achievement from many perspectives:
From classroom teacher to university professor
From gifted education coordinator to mainstream teacher of children with multiple disabilities
From school- and district-level administration to national and international consulting
From small rural districts to the challenges of urban education
She is highly regarded for her ability to link research and practice on issues related to instructional leadership and school and district change-including standards-based curriculum, instruction, assessment, supervision, and accountability. She has taught at all grade levels, served as a building principal and central office administrator, and assisted districts as an external facilitator for accreditation and implementation of school reform designs. As associate director of the National Center for Effective Schools, she developed a training program for site-based teams and provided technical support for implementation of school improvement efforts throughout the United States and in Canada, Guam, St. Lucia, and Hong Kong. She developed a comprehensive standards-based learning system for the staff and 47,000 students of the Seattle, Washington, city district and has supervised K-12 clusters of schools and evaluated principals.
Her work received the Excellence in Staff Development Award from the Iowa Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development in 1988. In 1990, her study of the needs of beginning principals was recognized by the American Association of School Administrators with the Paul F. Salmon Award for Outstanding Education Leadership Research.
She served as an elected member-at-large on the Leadership Council for ASCD International, played an active role in Washington State's School Improvement Assistance Program, and contributed to development of the new School System Improvement Resource Guide. Holcomb is the author of four previous books and numerous articles and reviews.
From classroom teacher to university professor
From gifted education coordinator to mainstream teacher of children with multiple disabilities
From school- and district-level administration to national and international consulting
From small rural districts to the challenges of urban education
She is highly regarded for her ability to link research and practice on issues related to instructional leadership and school and district change-including standards-based curriculum, instruction, assessment, supervision, and accountability. She has taught at all grade levels, served as a building principal and central office administrator, and assisted districts as an external facilitator for accreditation and implementation of school reform designs. As associate director of the National Center for Effective Schools, she developed a training program for site-based teams and provided technical support for implementation of school improvement efforts throughout the United States and in Canada, Guam, St. Lucia, and Hong Kong. She developed a comprehensive standards-based learning system for the staff and 47,000 students of the Seattle, Washington, city district and has supervised K-12 clusters of schools and evaluated principals.
Her work received the Excellence in Staff Development Award from the Iowa Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development in 1988. In 1990, her study of the needs of beginning principals was recognized by the American Association of School Administrators with the Paul F. Salmon Award for Outstanding Education Leadership Research.
She served as an elected member-at-large on the Leadership Council for ASCD International, played an active role in Washington State's School Improvement Assistance Program, and contributed to development of the new School System Improvement Resource Guide. Holcomb is the author of four previous books and numerous articles and reviews.
Content
List of Figures
List of CD-ROM Contents
Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord
Preface to the Third Edition
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Asking the Right Questions
Refinement of the Five Critical Questions
The Five Questions as a Road Map
The Wrong Questions
Professional Learning Communities
The Five Questions and Three Models of Change
Tools for Inquiry and Collaboration
Using This Book
Answer Key
2. Answering the "Where Are We Now?" Question
Student Performance
Shareholder Perceptions
Organizational Culture and Context
Answer Key
3. Answering the "Where Do We Want to Go?" Question
Affirming the Mission
Identifying and Prioritizing Concerns
Articulating Goals
Visualizing the Culture of Collaboration
Answer Key
4. Answering the "How Will We Get There?" Question
Dig Into the Data
Study Relevant Research
Explore Best Practices
Consider Local Factors
Analyze Current Practice
Partner With Your District
Select Strategies
Double-Check: Goal or Strategy?
Plan the Journey
Is Our Plan Powerful?
Answer Key
5. Answering the "How Will We Know We Are (Getting) There?" Question
Are We Working Our Plan? Evidence of Implementation
Is Our Plan Working? Evidence of Impact
The Plan and the Proof
Answer Key
6. Answering the "How Will We Sustain the Focus and Momentum?" Question
Understand and Respond to Reactions
Continue Training and Coaching
Cope With Conflict
Strengthen the Culture of Inquiry
Support Leaders and Followers
Shift From Technical to Adaptive
Reaffirm Organizational Values and Commitments
Maintain Organizational Health
Answer Key
7. Powerful Questions That Shape Practice
Entry Questions
Data-Boosting Questions
Walking-Around Questions
Instructional Questions
Student-Work Analysis Questions
Letting-Go Questions
Hiring Questions
Time Management Questions
Involvement Questions
The Commitment Question
Answer Key
References and Further Reading
Index
List of CD-ROM Contents
Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord
Preface to the Third Edition
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Asking the Right Questions
Refinement of the Five Critical Questions
The Five Questions as a Road Map
The Wrong Questions
Professional Learning Communities
The Five Questions and Three Models of Change
Tools for Inquiry and Collaboration
Using This Book
Answer Key
2. Answering the "Where Are We Now?" Question
Student Performance
Shareholder Perceptions
Organizational Culture and Context
Answer Key
3. Answering the "Where Do We Want to Go?" Question
Affirming the Mission
Identifying and Prioritizing Concerns
Articulating Goals
Visualizing the Culture of Collaboration
Answer Key
4. Answering the "How Will We Get There?" Question
Dig Into the Data
Study Relevant Research
Explore Best Practices
Consider Local Factors
Analyze Current Practice
Partner With Your District
Select Strategies
Double-Check: Goal or Strategy?
Plan the Journey
Is Our Plan Powerful?
Answer Key
5. Answering the "How Will We Know We Are (Getting) There?" Question
Are We Working Our Plan? Evidence of Implementation
Is Our Plan Working? Evidence of Impact
The Plan and the Proof
Answer Key
6. Answering the "How Will We Sustain the Focus and Momentum?" Question
Understand and Respond to Reactions
Continue Training and Coaching
Cope With Conflict
Strengthen the Culture of Inquiry
Support Leaders and Followers
Shift From Technical to Adaptive
Reaffirm Organizational Values and Commitments
Maintain Organizational Health
Answer Key
7. Powerful Questions That Shape Practice
Entry Questions
Data-Boosting Questions
Walking-Around Questions
Instructional Questions
Student-Work Analysis Questions
Letting-Go Questions
Hiring Questions
Time Management Questions
Involvement Questions
The Commitment Question
Answer Key
References and Further Reading
Index