Asking the Right Questions 3/e

Edie L. Holcomb is executive director of curriculum and instructional services for Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 in Kenosha, Wisconsin. She has experienced the challenges of improving student achievement from many perspectives: From classroom teacher to university professor From gifted education coordinator to mainstream teacher of children with multiple disabilities From school- and district-level administration to national and international consulting From small rural districts to the challenges of urban education She is highly regarded for her ability to link research and practice on issues related to instructional leadership and school and district change-including standards-based curriculum, instruction, assessment, supervision, and accountability. She has taught at all grade levels, served as a building principal and central office administrator, and assisted districts as an external facilitator for accreditation and implementation of school reform designs. As associate director of the National Center for Effective Schools, she developed a training program for site-based teams and provided technical support for implementation of school improvement efforts throughout the United States and in Canada, Guam, St. Lucia, and Hong Kong. She developed a comprehensive standards-based learning system for the staff and 47,000 students of the Seattle, Washington, city district and has supervised K-12 clusters of schools and evaluated principals. Her work received the Excellence in Staff Development Award from the Iowa Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development in 1988. In 1990, her study of the needs of beginning principals was recognized by the American Association of School Administrators with the Paul F. Salmon Award for Outstanding Education Leadership Research. She served as an elected member-at-large on the Leadership Council for ASCD International, played an active role in Washington State's School Improvement Assistance Program, and contributed to development of the new School System Improvement Resource Guide. Holcomb is the author of four previous books and numerous articles and reviews.

List of Figures List of CD-ROM Contents Foreword to the Third Edition by Shirley M. Hord Preface to the Third Edition Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Asking the Right Questions Refinement of the Five Critical Questions The Five Questions as a Road Map The Wrong Questions Professional Learning Communities The Five Questions and Three Models of Change Tools for Inquiry and Collaboration Using This Book Answer Key 2. Answering the "Where Are We Now?" Question Student Performance Shareholder Perceptions Organizational Culture and Context Answer Key 3. Answering the "Where Do We Want to Go?" Question Affirming the Mission Identifying and Prioritizing Concerns Articulating Goals Visualizing the Culture of Collaboration Answer Key 4. Answering the "How Will We Get There?" Question Dig Into the Data Study Relevant Research Explore Best Practices Consider Local Factors Analyze Current Practice Partner With Your District Select Strategies Double-Check: Goal or Strategy? Plan the Journey Is Our Plan Powerful? Answer Key 5. Answering the "How Will We Know We Are (Getting) There?" Question Are We Working Our Plan? Evidence of Implementation Is Our Plan Working? Evidence of Impact The Plan and the Proof Answer Key 6. Answering the "How Will We Sustain the Focus and Momentum?" Question Understand and Respond to Reactions Continue Training and Coaching Cope With Conflict Strengthen the Culture of Inquiry Support Leaders and Followers Shift From Technical to Adaptive Reaffirm Organizational Values and Commitments Maintain Organizational Health Answer Key 7. Powerful Questions That Shape Practice Entry Questions Data-Boosting Questions Walking-Around Questions Instructional Questions Student-Work Analysis Questions Letting-Go Questions Hiring Questions Time Management Questions Involvement Questions The Commitment Question Answer Key References and Further Reading Index

"A great book with practical advice. It provides all the tools for facilitating change dialogues with clear explanations of what is desired for answering the essential questions." -- Linda Vogel, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies "An effective synthesis of information for implementing, monitoring, and sustaining change in a collaborative way." -- Bess Scott, Principal "Gives a multitude of techniques for collaborative planning and preparing for change. This is an exceptional resource for school leaders to read and reflect on." -- Regina S. Birdsell, Assistant Executive Director "Offers a strong set of strategies for working with adults to gain consensus, reach a goal, or gain insight into the thinking of participants." -- Rita Corbett, Educational Consultant "An excellent book. This is the manual that I have been needing. It simplified the complex and demonstrated that we can really make a difference in our schools and districts." -- Janet Hurt, Associate Superintendent "This book has something for everyone-the teacher leader heading school improvement committees, the curriculum director working with teacher task forces, or the superintendent working with community groups to establish vision and set priorities. A very hands-on book with practical tools for leaders in any setting!" -- Mary Devin, Associate Professor "During my four years in the Kentucky Distinguished Educator Program, this book was my constant companion. On many occasions, the materials and insights I gleaned from this book made my work easier and made me appear to others to be smarter and wiser." -- Stan Laferty, Curriculum Coordinator "The book is supported with concrete examples from real-life experience and is presented with an eye to real problems. It allows the reader to find tools that are appropriate for the local situation and to feel empowered to use the tools in flexible ways." -- Steven R. Thompson, Coordinator, School Leadership Program