Curriculum Leadership Development is an up-to-date, user-friendly textbook offering unique approaches to help readers understand the complexity of curriculum leadership. It is grounded in current and relevant theory, research, legislation, and application in the closely related areas of curriculum leadership, development, and scholarship. The text solidifies the concepts of curriculum and leadership in experiential learning contexts, and promotes democratic action and critical thinking.
Author Carol A. Mullen uses a descriptive, qualitative approach that integrates case study, data analysis, personal reflection, and lessons learned. Among the most important elements of the book are:
*the inclusion of the voice and curricular experiences of the professional student who is a seasoned teacher or beginning adminstrator;
*detailed illustrations of practitioners' experiences as curriculum makers and action researchers;
*an articulation of the links among curriculum development, constructivist curricula, and mentoring scaffolds; and
*practical exercises to accompany case studies.
Graduate and advanced undergraduate students in education will find this textbook of value in their coursework, as will curriculum professionals who teach practicing teachers.
Table of Contents:
Contents: Preface. Part I: Trends and Issues in the Study of Curriculum Leadership. Changing Times for School Curriculum Leaders. Origins, Definitions, and Types of Curriculum. Process/Product Classification of Key Curriculum Thinkers. Part II: Curriculum Leadership Cases for Schools and Faculties. Coping With Transitions as a New Site-Based Administrative Leader. Information Literacy Development for Students and Equitable Access. Inclusion and School Preparedness to Educate Students With Disabilities. Nurturing School Culture and Collaborative Curriculum as Campus Leader. Countering Interruptions of Teaching With Curricular Leadership. Reflective Analysis of National-Board-Certified Teacher Mentoring Programs. Administrator Walk-Through as Instructional Aid for Classroom Teachers. Transformation of an Inner-City Elementary School Into a Magnet School. Career Academy Trends in Modernizing Curriculum and Infusing Technology. Early Reading Intervention Through After-School Tutoring Programs. Curricular Effects of Looping for Students, Teachers, and Parents. Science Teachers as Curriculum Coaches of Language and Meaning-Making. Part III: University-Based Curriculum Leadership Exercises. A Guide for Instructors, Coaches, and Future School Leaders.
Review :
"Mullen’s qualitative, descriptive presentation style and practical yet comprehensive approach to such a relevant topic make this a must read for aspiring school leaders….Highly Recommended." – CHOICE, August 2007, Vol. 44, No. 11
“Dr. Mullen offers an excellent representation of and comprehensive approach to a difficult topic. It is obviously based on thorough research that is extensive and current. I can write this statement with some accuracy since I teach a curriculum development course to master’s students. The author has devised unique approaches that will help students understand the complexity of curriculum leadership. Specifically, her use of case studies in Part II should be a tremendous help to teachers who usually talk about curriculum as an abstract item forced on them by a central office or the state board of education. Part III, which is devoted to the use of the text in university classrooms, is new and refreshing. Part I offers an effective summary of curriculum history and much more.”
—David L. Gray
University of South Alabama
“Curriculum Leadership Development provides an up-to-date, useful, and relevant text for those interested in becoming curriculum leaders. The content includes the latest information on accountability legislation, something that is often missing from most texts on this subject. I appreciate the critical perspective that Dr. Mullen has taken (see Part I in particular). Too many educators are not asking the right questions about curriculum and the influences that affect its development. The text should prove useful as a teaching tool—education students will find it thought-provoking yet accessible. Case studies typically lead to lively discussions.”
—Allen H. Seed
University of Memphis
