The book is a unique and necessary contribution to the literature on school administration. Research, theory, and practice were melded to produce a book that can be used as a primary or supplemental text or as professional growth resource for practitioners. Communication scholars, especially since 1990, have concluded that competence must be defined and studied in the context of professions. As such, a growing number of medical schools, law schools, and business schools have integrated communication into their curricula. This book provides a resource for such integration into the study and practice of district and school administration.
Preface Chapter 1: Communication Basics *Introduction *Communication Characteristics Form Flow Status Action Symmetry *Theoretical Perspectives Classical theories Human relations theories Systems theories *Synthesis *Reflective questions Chapter 2: Communicating Competently *Introduction *Communicative behavior Institutional dimension Personal dimension *Avoiding common problems Insufficient forethought Organizational constraints Personal constraints Inadequate evaluation *Complementary and Relational Communication *Communicative competence *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 3: Leadership and Relationships *Introduction *Understanding Leadership Leadership, management, and administration Formal versus informal leadership *Importance of Relationships Communicative behavior and relationships Relationships matter *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 4: Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Critical Thinking *Introduction *Problem Solving Problem framing Stages *Decision Making Types of decisions Group decision making *Critical Thinking Language and communication Reflection *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 5: Organizational Communication *Introduction *Schools as Loosely Coupled Organizations Schools and coupling Advantages and disadvantages of loose coupling Contemporary perspective *Communication Networks Formal versus informal networks Bridges or buffers Beneficial properties Constructing and applying evidence Evaluating networks *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 6: School Governance and Democratic Administration *Introduction *Citizen Involvement in School Governance Democratic localism Representative democracy Current conditions *Democratic Administration Historical context The second coming Democratic administration and communication *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 7: Climate, Culture, and the Learning Organization *Introduction *School Climate Elements Closed and open climates *School Culture Elements Effects Culture and communication Why culture change is difficult *School as a Learning Organization Organizational learning A learning culture *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 8: Initiating and Sustaining Planned Change *Introduction *Contemporary School Reform 1983-1989 Post 1989 *Change Processes Empirical-rational Power-coercive Normative-reeducative *Process Issues: Involvement and Communication Inclusiveness Communicating appropriately *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 9: School Partnerships *Introduction *Understanding Partnerships Definition Levels of Autonomy Operational Characteristics *Motives Community stakeholders Educators Collaborating organizations/groups *Why Partnerships Succeed or Fail Effective Practices Potential Pitfalls *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 10: Managing Conflict *Introduction *Organizational Conflict Defining conflict Conflict in schools *Sources, Types, and Contaminants Sources and types Contaminants *Management System and Strategies System Strategies *Conflict Management and Communication *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 11: Conducting a Referendum Campaign *Introduction *Key Administrative Responsibilities *Verifying the need *Marketing *Conducting the Campaign Organization Process Potential pitfalls Evaluating outcomes *Importance of Communication *Synthesis *Reflective Questions Chapter 12: Relationships with Media Personnel *Introduction *Working with Journalists Preparation Making relationships positive *Initiating Media Coverage Press releases Press conferences *Electronic Media Interviews Video Audio *Crisis Communication Before the crisis During the crisis After the crisis *Synthesis *Reflective Questions
