Planning an Innovative School

How to Reduce the Likelihood of Regression toward the Mean

Dorit Tubin

Establishing an innovative school requires a great deal of planning effort, human power and resources. Nevertheless, many innovative schools suffer a process of regression toward the mean and lose their innovative zeal. Based on the life cycle approach, which claims that part of this trend of regression is embodied in the planning phase, and on the institutional theory that asserts that innovation has to negotiate institutional constraints, this instrumental case study examines the negotiation of institutional regulations while planning an innovative school. This article reports on a study of three years' planning of an Israeli innovative school, which in 2006 celebrated 10 years of successful innovation. The findings suggest three ways of handling the regulation constraints: setting an exception; reallocation of resources; and adoption of alternative standards. Further research directions and implications on educational policy and planning are discussed.
Key Words: institutional regulation • instrumental case study • life cycle approach • planning for innovation • school start-up
Educational Management Administration & Leadership, Vol. 37, No. 3, 404-421 (2009)

Gender Balance in Leadership?

Reform and Modernization in the UK Further Education Sector
Duncan McTavish
Karen Miller

The further education (FE) sector employs a high proportion of women yet relatively few women progress into leadership positions. The article seeks to provide explanations for this gender imbalance and argues that despite change and modernization initiatives, the further education sector remains gendered in many aspects of leadership, governance and managerial practices. The article concludes that while change has increased opportunities for women, masculinized managerial practices have led in many instances to the re-gendering of organizational practices with unequal gender impacts.


Key Words: education • further education • gender • leadership • management • modernization


Educational Management Administration & Leadership, Vol. 37, No. 3, 350-365 (2009)

How Teachers learn

The Lessons Are in the Leading
Gordon A. Donaldson Jr.

"The best professional learning experiences help aspiring leaders integrate skills, knowledge, and personal meaning as they perform."

To read this article, click on the following link:
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/The_Lessons_Are_in_the_Leading.aspx


The article discussed a structured observation-and-learning process, do you think it is effective?


From Surviving to Thriving
Sonia Nieto

"To remain enthusiastic and committed in their work, teachers need environments that promote meaningful learning."

To read this article, click on the following link:
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/From_Surviving_to_Thriving.aspx

After reading this article, what do teachers need to learn in your opinion?

Moving Beyond Talk
Debra Smith, Bruce Wilson and Dick Corbett

"Six conditions helped these urban districts launch—and sustain—strong learning communities."

To read this article, click on the following link:
http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/feb09/vol66/num05/Moving_Beyond_Talk.aspx

What is the crucial step you would suggest to provide a stimulating and safe learning environment?