Insights: How Expert Principals Make Difficult Decisions

Dionne V. McLaughlin, Ed.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at North Carolina Central University. She is a British-born Jamaican educator who is an experienced bilingual high school and elementary school principal. Dr. McLaughlin has experience as a K-12 Director for a voluntary desegregation program in Massachusetts and as the Program Director for a Latino community-based organization. Additionally, she has 11 years of experience teaching, a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and a Master's in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Research interests include: the principalship, Blacks in Latin America, Effective teachers of African American and Latino high school students, and examining the racial context of schools. Recent scholarly works include an NCPEA article on how administrators can improve schools by learning from the experiences of African American and Latino High School Students and a Teacher Education Journal of South Carolina article, "The Cultural Symphony in Schools: Effectively Teaching African American and Latino High School Students." Dr. McLaughlin also has another manuscript in progress for a SAGE book chapter, "New South Realities, Demographics, Cultural Capital, and Diversity" in a Guide on Educational Leadership and Management that will be published in 2015. Dr. McLaughlin has led workshops for teachers, principals and assistant principals on culturally responsive teaching, effective school practices, and making effective leadership decisions.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Part I: Factors Expert Principals Consider in Decision Making 1: Weighing Options 2: Recognizing and Connecting to Core Values 3: Considering the Culture Before Introducing Change 4: Examining the Whole Picture Part II: Making Difficult Decisions 5: Decisions About Student Consequences 6: Decisions About Faculty and Staff 7: Decisions About Practices, Policies, and Programs 8: Decisions That Improve African American and Latino Student Achievement References Resources Classroom Walkthrough Form Current Bell Schedule Proposed Bell Schedule Principal Interview Questions Resources List of Tables List of Case Studies Glossary Index

"I have never seen or heard of an excellent school that did not have an excellent principal. In this important new book McLaughlin helps us to understand what it takes to become a genuine expert as a school leader by closely examining how they navigate the challenges involved in leading schools during these turbulent times. For policymakers, district leaders, parents and others who want to see more progress in the effort to improve our nation's schools, this book will be an invaluable resource." -- Pedro A. Noguera, Peter L. Agnew Professor of Education, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Development "This book is a rare blend of practice and solid academic work. Dionne McLaughlin's writing shows that she 'talks the talk because she has walked the walk.' As a former elementary and secondary school site administrator. She navigates some of the most difficult and dangerous waters in school site decision making today. In the process of unpacking the nature of difficult decisions, she has not only created powerful exemplars that others can follow, but has erected models that will serve as fount of motivation and inspiration." -- Fenwick W. English, R. Wendell Eaves Senior Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership "This book provides administrators with real stories from those working in school administration. As an administrator, I found the book to be an excellent read." -- Nicky Kemp, Assistant Superintendent "Agile and inspiring principals remain key to lifting America's schools, to accelerate our progress in narrowing disparities in student learning. Dionne McLaughlin vividly describes the everyday challenges that face principals - coaching mediocre teachers, trying to engage dissident kids, inspiring teachers to collaborate and labor as eager professionals. It's a masterful volume, offering ethical tenets and helpful tips for aspiring principals, a riveting balance of practical case studies and sound theories of leadership. Insights is a must read for future school leaders, policy makers, and reformers." -- Bruce Fuller, Professor "In Insights: How Expert Principals Make Difficult Decisions, Dionne McLaughlin describes a sensible and cohesive approach to decision making and includes case studies of actual situations faced by real principals. McLaughlin provides useful information and guidance for busy principals who make a multitude of decisions on a daily basis. Insights is a valuable resource for new and aspiring principals as well as experienced principals." -- C. Diane Payne, Director