Transformational Leadership for Rapid School Improvement

To address today's numerous goals and challenges, K-12 schools need transformational leaders--leaders able to substantively enhance and improve educational systems and educator practices in order to achieve better, longer-lasting outcomes for all students. This practical resource is for superintendents, principals, and other education leaders who are charged with rapidly improving their schools and districts. Grounded in WestEd's research-based and field-tested Four Domains of Rapid School Improvement framework, this book offers guidance, support, and resources in the areas of school turnaround, talent development, instructional transformation, and culture shift. Every chapter includes prompts to encourage reflection and discussion with colleagues, as well as action steps to put guidance into practice. Transformational Leadership for Rapid School Improvement can be used as a text for educational leadership courses and for professional learning with practicing principals and superintendents.

Book Features:

• A collection of research-supported, field-tested leadership strategies to elicit rapid school improvement.
• Recommendations from education leaders and experts with deep experience engaging in successful school improvement efforts.
• Chapters organized according to four domains: turnaround leadership, talent development, instructional transformation, and culture shift.
• Timely topics such as leading with empathy, fostering teacher motivation, understanding the intersectionality of social-emotional learning, supporting trauma-informed practices, culturally responsive teaching, and critical race theory.
• Prompts in every chapter to encourage reflection and discussion with colleagues.

Kevin Perks is director of school and district services in WestEd's quality schools and districts team.