The Learning Leader: How to Focus School Improvement for Better Results

by Douglas B. Reeves

"We can t do that in our school district."
"I don t have time to add that to my curriculum."
We re fighting against impossible odds with these students." Effective school leadership does not have to be a losing battle. In The Learning How to Focus School Improvement for Better Results , Douglas B. Reeves helps leadership teams go beyond excuses to capitalize on their strengths and reduce their weaknesses. He introduces the Leadership for Learning Framework, which challenges readers to consider that student achievement is more than a set of test scores. Reeves asserts that when leaders focus exclusively on results, they fail to measure and understand the importance of their own actions. Instead, he encourages leaders to use the Leadership for Learning Framework to look deeper into their results. The framework helps leaders distinguish between "Lucky" educators, who achieve high results but don't understand their actions, and "Leading" educators, who achieve high results and understand how their actions influence their success. From conducting strategic planning to evaluating projects to organizing leadership teams, The Learning Leader will help leaders reconceptualize their leadership role and motivate their colleagues. Reeves urges teachers and administrators to become more efficient and focused leaders, but most important, he charges them to be better educators for their students.

Genres: Education, Leadership

221 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2006

Reviews

[Josiah Aston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, but somewhat unorganized

The model Reeves presents here is a great way to understand how school success is influenced through systematic and deliberate change. I enjoyed the research-based conclusions of the book and the suggested use of the leadership map. On the other hand, many of the concepts in the book seemed disconnected and unorganized. Some concepts seem to appear out of nowhere and are not repeated, summarized, or placed within the larger framework. The book is very narrative-like in that aspect, taking you on a journey, traversing many rabbit trails along the way. Great concepts, however, for the learning leader!

[Wade Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Approachable and Helpful

Reeves drills the importance of committing to continuous improvement. He challenges administrators to use tools like the leadership map to visualize what is and is not working, as well as elaborates on how to focus on what’s important when it comes to school improvement. This book is packed with great wisdom, many useful tools, and practical strategies that can be immediately implemented.

[Kelly Begy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive strategy-filled guide to leadership's role in school improvement initiatives. Easy to read.

[Kayleigh Friend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required reading for graduate school Supervisory & Principals certification.

Easy to read however, very few concrete suggestions on what to do.

[Taryn Takaki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the books that we had to read as a part of the Division of Special Education's Division Leadership Team. The overall message was to not focus of student test scores but to understand what your role is in the school system as a "leader" and how to identify and capitilize on your strengths. However, due to the school district I work in is one of the nation's largest, I do not see Reeves ideas working.

[Diane Colborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

My principal asked us to read this book in preparation for our administration team retreat. The author argues that true educational reform must be initiated by strong classroom teachers, and he provides evidence of how teacher leaders have turned schools around, even those with poor students from chaotic families. I think it could have been an inspiring article, but it put be sleep as a book (as short as it is!)

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book- have heard Reeves speak two times, and every time I hear him, I am rejuvinated and have more ideas about how to improve the work that we do with schools in our county. Ideal read for anyone in the educational field who's looking for a way to lead and motivate change in your building.

[Andy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first exposure to Douglas Reeves' writing. He's an intellectual but very accessible. His point is simple but profound: focus your leadership efforts on more that six hubs, and you won't do any of them well. So pick and choose your points of greatest leverage and influence, just like Chicago and LA are hubs of airline traffic.

[Heather Wall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very readable book on leadership. I found myself highlighting quite a bit of it. He discusses leadership myths, dimensions of leadership, and his 1CLeadership Map 1D, which is a 4 13point matrix that 19s very easy to understand and translate to practice.

[Robb Christopherson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for education. I enjoy Reeves a ton.

[Ali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of the same old same old. All of these education books pretend they are going to offer something new - they never, ever do.

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few good ideas to improve school performance.

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not get much out of this book. I was surprised. I don't know if it is due to all of my reading in the field of education. I skimmed a lot of it. I may pick it up later and give it another try.

[Dave Moyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reeves rules, but his chapter on zeros and grading is priceless and a must for administrators and teachers alike.