21st Century Educational Leadership

What is my “take” school effectiveness? In my humble opinion, which has taken a number of years to form, I believe, effective schools must adhere to four guiding principles: Effective schools must 1) listen to and engage parents and teachers; 2) communicate the school’s mission/vision; 3) institute and evaluate sound educational practices, and 4) nurture their own unique identity, culture, and local autonomy. Listen and Engage Parents and Teachers             Why is it important to listen to and engage teachers and parents? Effective schools do not exist outside of the domain of the parents and teachers. Therefore, their participation in creating and maintaining an effective school is crucial. Effective schools are for ever evolving into the environment necessary for the best learning to take place. It is my opinion, that only by listening to the parents and the teachers will the school come to understand how it may need to evo...

Revisiting the U.S. Bishops' Statement:  Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium      Challenged by the present, while peering into the future, for some, might produce uncertainty and skepticism. Yet, in the United States, our Bishops, both past and present, look upon the future of Catholic Schools with a sense of hope and purpose. Over the last 20 years, since the statement was promulgated, many in Catholic education, upon reading the statement, argued that the Bishops did not go far enough and/or that they missed an opportunity to say something new and dynamic. I’m not sure what my colleagues were hoping to hear, but clearly their expectations muted the voices of hope and purpose speaking in the statement. While peering into the third millennium, the Bishops, in their statement, offered multiple expressions of hope and purpose rooted in the current status and success of Catholic schools. And yet, whil...