The Moral Imperative of School Leadership is written by Michael Fullan. He is the author of several other books dealing with systematic changes within the school system.
After learning that my school did not make it's projected A.P.I. score or the A.M.O. (annual measurable objectives) for 2006 the air was sucked out of my lungs and my heart proceeded to beat slower than a dead-man's. Even though we had show academic growth in our targeted areas, we did not meet the 24.4% proficient criteria in ELA for two of the four sub-groups: Hispanic and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged. This placed us in the arena of a 1st year program improvement school. Up until now, we have been extremely proactive.
When we received the notice that we had become a 1st year program improvement school under the No Child Left Behind act, I as well as every member of the staff were devastated. For three months, I sulked, walked the darkest streets, and experienced depression at new depths. We did everything we were told, everything research suggested, and implemented them with fidelity.
This book was recommended by my boss during one of our conversations. Before the conversation ended, she loaned me the book. Needless to say, I read the book within a week and it began to reshape my thinking as well as helped me gain a new perspective of the place I hold within this huge educational system. Each one of us can make a difference as individuals, we can make a difference as a school, we can make a difference at the district level, and we can make a difference regionally. It is more than we “can” make a difference; it is our moral imperative to make a difference!
Mr. Fullan has divided up this book into five simple chapters. He discusses the need to revamp the principal’s role in order to help change the context within which teachers and students learn. Michael Fullan then discusses many of the self-imposed barriers both the principal faces as well as the school system. The third chapter discusses in some detail the first of two levels of making a difference. Making a difference individually is level one and making a difference as a school is level 2. Chapter four covers the remaining two levels of making a difference. These last two levels go beyond the school. Level three is making a difference regionally and level four is making a difference in our society. In the last chapter, Michael Fullan provides global steps toward making a difference on all four levels.
MY THREE CENTS:
As I mentioned earlier, this book was introduced to me at a pivotal point in my professional career. All of the time and effort that our educational team put forth into the education of the children under our care was not measuring up to the goals set forth by the No Child Left Behind act. We were devastated. I was mystified.
A couple years ago I read a book entitled “Good To Great” by Jim Collins. Mr. Collins talked about leadership in a five-level hierarchy. I was fascinated by this concept but saddened because it was not directly related to education, my professional field. Then along came a spider the book “The Moral Imperative of School Leadership” and Michael Fullan borrowed from the familiar leadership hierarchy concept in Good to Great. However, instead of a five-level hierarchy Mr. Fullan talked about four. The concepts were the same: all people can make a difference at level one; however, the difference you will make will have the lowest impact. As you move up the hierarchy, the higher the influence you will make within the system.
I will never find the silver bullet that will change my API scores into the 800-900’s or my AMO’s at/or above 75% proficient in ELA and Math. However it is my moral obligation to do what ever I can to level the educational field for all the children I serve so that they, too, have every opportunity to attain success in our educational system as well as within our society.
This is a recommended read for those principals who have tried everything under the sun and have been unable to gain ground. This book will help clear your mind, gather your thoughts, and reaffirm many of the things you are already doing. Remember, numbers are only numbers but children are children who will some day grow up and run society. Children will remember the things taught by those individuals who where their champion on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. You can and you will make a difference as an academic leader, it is your moral obligation. Good luck on your professional and personal journey!
NO AR QUIZ :(
After learning that my school did not make it's projected A.P.I. score or the A.M.O. (annual measurable objectives) for 2006 the air was sucked out of my lungs and my heart proceeded to beat slower than a dead-man's. Even though we had show academic growth in our targeted areas, we did not meet the 24.4% proficient criteria in ELA for two of the four sub-groups: Hispanic and Socioeconomically Disadvantaged. This placed us in the arena of a 1st year program improvement school. Up until now, we have been extremely proactive.
When we received the notice that we had become a 1st year program improvement school under the No Child Left Behind act, I as well as every member of the staff were devastated. For three months, I sulked, walked the darkest streets, and experienced depression at new depths. We did everything we were told, everything research suggested, and implemented them with fidelity.
This book was recommended by my boss during one of our conversations. Before the conversation ended, she loaned me the book. Needless to say, I read the book within a week and it began to reshape my thinking as well as helped me gain a new perspective of the place I hold within this huge educational system. Each one of us can make a difference as individuals, we can make a difference as a school, we can make a difference at the district level, and we can make a difference regionally. It is more than we “can” make a difference; it is our moral imperative to make a difference!
Mr. Fullan has divided up this book into five simple chapters. He discusses the need to revamp the principal’s role in order to help change the context within which teachers and students learn. Michael Fullan then discusses many of the self-imposed barriers both the principal faces as well as the school system. The third chapter discusses in some detail the first of two levels of making a difference. Making a difference individually is level one and making a difference as a school is level 2. Chapter four covers the remaining two levels of making a difference. These last two levels go beyond the school. Level three is making a difference regionally and level four is making a difference in our society. In the last chapter, Michael Fullan provides global steps toward making a difference on all four levels.
MY THREE CENTS:
As I mentioned earlier, this book was introduced to me at a pivotal point in my professional career. All of the time and effort that our educational team put forth into the education of the children under our care was not measuring up to the goals set forth by the No Child Left Behind act. We were devastated. I was mystified.
A couple years ago I read a book entitled “Good To Great” by Jim Collins. Mr. Collins talked about leadership in a five-level hierarchy. I was fascinated by this concept but saddened because it was not directly related to education, my professional field. Then along came a spider the book “The Moral Imperative of School Leadership” and Michael Fullan borrowed from the familiar leadership hierarchy concept in Good to Great. However, instead of a five-level hierarchy Mr. Fullan talked about four. The concepts were the same: all people can make a difference at level one; however, the difference you will make will have the lowest impact. As you move up the hierarchy, the higher the influence you will make within the system.
I will never find the silver bullet that will change my API scores into the 800-900’s or my AMO’s at/or above 75% proficient in ELA and Math. However it is my moral obligation to do what ever I can to level the educational field for all the children I serve so that they, too, have every opportunity to attain success in our educational system as well as within our society.
This is a recommended read for those principals who have tried everything under the sun and have been unable to gain ground. This book will help clear your mind, gather your thoughts, and reaffirm many of the things you are already doing. Remember, numbers are only numbers but children are children who will some day grow up and run society. Children will remember the things taught by those individuals who where their champion on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis. You can and you will make a difference as an academic leader, it is your moral obligation. Good luck on your professional and personal journey!
NO AR QUIZ :(
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