Leadership: What's In It For Schools?

by T. Sergiovanni

The What's in it for Schools series has been written by experts in the field for an audience of busy practitioners. The books present research and thinking about topical education issues and present it in an accessible and relevant way.
What makes a good leader? Does good leadership matter in helping schools be more successful? This concise and accessible book examines leadership in a practical way by helping principals, heads, teachers and parents establish their roles and responsibilities and get to grips with the unique leadership requirements of schools.
The author explores issues such as leadership, what it is and how it works, character and culture as keys to improvement, how to build commitment, motivation and improved performance, and using local standards and assessments to improve schools and leadership as a form of social capital.

162 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2001

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with a group of colleagues as a part of our weekly professional meeting. It has been an amazing opportunity to read and discuss this book weekly with them. This author introduces me to how this type of “leadership” within a school community is a unique one compared to other institutions. I am not a principal nor an administrator, yet this book helps me to grow a sense of respect for those who risk their lives to serve a school community. You might notice I repeatedly use the term “school community”, yes, that’s the term the author assumes throughout all chapters. I like how the author specifically uses the term “head-follower” for leaders in school. Why? It is simply they are following something, which the author defines as visions and missions—I’d argue, it’s not something, but someone.

If you often doubt and think of why your school administrators make “uncommon” and “hard” policy, trust me, they have been through hell before ended up to that decisions.

Schools are moral institutions, and school leaders have a moral obligation to see that children are well served, and that teachers are supported  in their efforts in behalf of children. - Thomas J. Sergiovanni

[Aulia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buku ini mengeksplorasi kepemimpinan dalam pendidikan, menekankan bahwa kepemimpinan bukan sekadar tentang manajemen, tetapi juga tentang membangun komunitas dan budaya yang kuat di sekolah.

Sergiovanni mengkritik model kepemimpinan yang terlalu transaksional dan menyoroti pentingnya pendekatan yang lebih transformasional dan berbasis komunitas. Ia juga menekankan pentingnya hubungan yang bermakna antara kepala sekolah, guru, dan siswa dalam menciptakan lingkungan belajar yang mendukung dan efektif.

Namun, dalam penyajian konsep terkadang terlalu kompleks dan idealis. Implementasi gagasan-gagasannya bisa menjadi tantangan di sekolah dengan konteks yang beragam, terutama karena sifat dan kepribadian setiap pemimpin berbeda-beda.

Buku ini tetap sangat bermanfaat bagi para pendidik dan pemimpin sekolah, menawarkan wawasan berharga tentang bagaimana membangun kepemimpinan yang autentik berdasarkan nilai dan kolaborasi.

[Dave Moyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had some professors who referenced Sergiovanni, but in all of my years and all of the leadership books that I have read, this is the first time that I have picked up one of his. I am glad I did. Great information with practical implementation ideas. Love the concept of right on culture and loose in management.