The School Administrator

November 2004Rethinking SystemsApplying the theories of Senge and Heifetz to district leadership

Features

Testing 'What If?' Scenarios
by Ralph A. Brauer
It’s a tantalizing prospect: What if as school system decision maker you could try out an initiative before putting it in place? A process known as system dynamics simulates the possible effects.
Similar Reading: Modeling May Be the Answer and Additional Resources
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Suspending the Elephant Over the Table
by Nelda Cambron-McCabe and Luvern L. Cunningham
Do superintendents enjoy the luxury of a time-consuming systems approach to fix problems? Can they afford to acknowledge they don't have all the answers — and sometimes aren’t sure about the questions? A new book suggests concepts of systems change can improve learning while making the job doable.read more | purchase issue
Heifetz on Public Leadership
by Amelia Newcomb
The work of Ron Heifetz, co-founder of the Center on Public Leadership at Harvard, recognizes the demands of the superintendency and the tools it offers for moving forward. An interview that covers his views on bridging gaps, empowering others and the defensive nature of superintendents.
Similar Reading: Heifetz Asks: What Is True Leadership? and Heifetz and the Notion of
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Think Like Peter Senge
by William G. O’Callaghan Jr.
An authority on learning organizations has an explanation for why some well-intended solutions to problems actually make matters worse over the long term. School leaders can apply Peter Senge’s laws of systems thinking to shape behavior in ways that will advance the cause.read more | purchase issue
Coherent Governance
by Linda J. Dawson and Randy Quinn
Profiles of three school districts that are effectively creating a new relationship for school boards and their superintendents, defining roles for the board’s governance responsibility and the superintendent’s responsibility for students’ academic success and operational accountability.read more | purchase issue
Outside the Ropes
by Scott LaFee
How are the newest entrants to the superintendency who’ve spent their previous work lives in business and the military learning about K-12 system leadership? Four superintendents from nontraditional backgrounds share their answers.
Similar Reading: Roster: Superintendents From Nontraditional Fields
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Profile

Carol S. Comeau: A Ground’s-Eye Style of Leading by Jay P. Goldman

She started as a lunchroom aide in Anchorage, Alaska. Now Carol S. Comeau is the superintendent and drawing raves for her down-to-earth style.read more

Departments

Punchback: Answering Critics

Are There Too Many Administrators? by JOHN FORSYTH

Focuses

Misconceptions of a School Construction Budget by David Rosenberg

Some realities of school facilities work that have changed since the days when a construction project had to be planned around the limitations of the contractor rather than the needs of students.read more

Finding an Advocate in an Architect by Dennis M. Young

Targeted questions school leaders should ask in an interview before setting off on a construction or major renovation project.read more

Guest Column

Start Here for Improving Teaching by Mike Schmoker

An education consultant says the proven way to improve what happens in a school is to ensure organized and ongoing opportunities for collaboration and assessment by the professional staff.read more

Federal Dateline

A Federal Role in High School Reform by Mary Kusler, senior legislative specialist, AASA

Congress will try to influence high school reform when it convenes in January for its 109th session.read more

People

People

Board-Savvy Superintendent

Managing Board Members With Personal Agendas by Nicholas D. Caruso Jr.

Advice from an administrator with the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education for what to do when a board member starts pushing an agenda different from the rest of the board and appears personally or emotionally involved in the matter.read more

Tech Leadership

Ban or Boost Student-Owned Technology? by Doug Johnson

Today’s students belong to the Wi-Fi generation, meaning they are equipped at school with cell phones, laptops and handhelds. What should you allow?read more

President’s Corner

A Month for Standing Up by Donald L. Kussmaul, president, AASA

The AASA president urges colleagues to exercise their right to vote.read more

Executive Perspective

Advancing System Leadership by Paul D. Houston, executive director, AASA

School systems are perfectly designed to yield the results they are getting. Unfortunately, the rules have changed and so have the goals, says AASA’s executive director.read more

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