Transformational Leadership for Rapid School Improvement

“Leadership is about developing the capacity to translate vision into reality. That is why Transformational Leadership for Rapid School Improvement is so important for any school leader, stakeholder, or educator.” —Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner of Education, State of New York

This practical resource is for superintendents, principals, and other education leaders who are charged with rapidly improving their schools and districts.

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. 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.

“Leadership is about developing the capacity to translate vision into reality. That is why Transformational Leadership for Rapid School Improvement is so important for any school leader, stakeholder, or educator. Dr. Perks provides an actionable approach, grounded in data, science, and cutting-edge theory. This book is a call to action as we strive to create a better tomorrow for every student.”
—Betty A. Rosa, Commissioner of Education of the State of New York

“For years, the LEAF and WestEd partnership has been a trusted source for articles on important matters of school and district leadership, inspiring thoughtful reflection and rich conversation. Transformational Leadership for Rapid School Improvement is a compendium of timely, relevant, and useful pieces presented in a research-based framework. Each chapter summons leaders to turn inward to reflect on their practice, turn up their courage and capacity to lead and, in doing so, turnaround the school systems they serve. All, without a moment to spare.”
—Marie Wiles, superintendent of schools, Guilderland, New York

“Transforming Leadership for Rapid School Improvement is a valuable addition to the library of any school or district leader dedicated to school improvement. The chapters in the book address a wide range of topics that are, and will likely continue to be, relevant to educational leaders striving to improve positive outcomes for students, particularly those who have been historically underserved. Each chapter can stand alone as a useful resource for leaders looking to make critical improvements in their schools and systems.”
—Heidi Early-Hersey, director of curriculum and instruction, Eliot, Maine

“School leaders will find much to support their best work in this book of thoughtful essays. Practitioners and experts offer insightful discussion of the forces impacting school culture and effectiveness and provide practical strategies to assure learning for all.”
—David O'Rourke, district superintendent and chief executive officer, Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES

Contents (final)

Foreword Terry Hofer  vii

Acknowledgments  ix

Introduction  1

Part I: Introduction—Turnaround Leadership  9

1.  Leading With Empathy: Leveraging an Essential Leadership Trait  13
Michael P. Nagler

2.  Culturally Responsive Schools Start With Culturally Responsive Leaders  23
Saroja R. Warner

3.  Is an Equity Audit in Your Future?  36
Shandy Hauk and Joyce Kaser

4.  Planning and Implementing a Special Education Program Review  47
Nancy Hurley, Kristin Reedy, and Dona Meinders

Part II: Talent Development  61

5.  Supporting Educator Wellbeing: Strategies for Self-Care  63
Christina Pate

6.  Strengthening Staff Motivation and Morale  78
Michael Middleton and Kevin Perks

7.  Achieving the Promise of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)  90
Kevin Perks

Part III: Instructional Transformation  101

8.  Understanding How Social Emotional Learning, Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education, and Critical Race Theory Intersect  105
Andrea Browning and Saroja R. Warner

9.  Conducting a Targeted Curriculum Review  117
Robert Rosenfeld

10.  Leading Formative Assessment to Improve Student Agency  127
Nancy Gerzon

Part IV: Culture Shift  141

11.  School Climate Essentials: A Call to Action  143
Shazia Hashmi, Rebeca Cerna, and Alexis Stern

12.  Foundations of Trauma-Informed Practice in Education  153
Christina Pate, Nakanya Magby, and Jenny Betz

13.  Building on Family and Community Strengths  164
Maria Paredes

14.  Deepening Understanding to Support Transgender Youth  179
Deborah A. Bradley and Stephen C. Hamilton

Afterword Charles S. Dedrick  195

Index  197

About the Editor and Contributors  207