The Four Imperatives of a Successful School

Building on research conducted for their previous book, School-Based Management as School Reform, the authors of volume report on their investigation of a site-based managed urban elementary school and its attempts to implement reform. On the basis of their findings, they propose four `imperative′ conditions for the school′s success. The authors conclude with general thoughts on site-based management and school reform, and offer ideas on policies, structures and professional development that they believe could enhance positive educational change.

Beck and Murphy focus on four specific conditions that are crucial to any successful school: * Strong, yet approachable leadership * Capacity-building resources for teaching * Commitment to school and community * Powerful, consistent focus on learning This new book builds on research reported by the authors in their earlier book, School-Based Management as School Reform. And it goes further--to provide an in-depth investigation into the workings of a school that is making a success of SBM. Using "Jackson" Elementary school (not its real name) as an example, the authors help you understand how people and policies are reshaping education; and they show how you can begin to transform your school. They offer you an inside look at how Jackson Elementary is remaking itself by changing the behaviors and attitudes of its students, teachers, and parents--and creating genuine school reform. The educators and students at Jackson will give you insights about genuine school reform that you won′t get from reading research findings. You′ll learn how to create and enhance successful reform at your school.