Effective Communication for School Administrators: A Necessity in an Information Age

Reforming schools in an information-based society has made communication an even more crucial skill for district and school administrators. Although communication has been identified as an essential area of practice, it has largely been ignored in the study of school administration. In Effective Communication for School Administrators: A Necessity in an Information Age, Kowalski, Petersen, and Fusarelli blend research, theory, and practice as they examine the critical nature of communication in contemporary practice for administrators. Divided into two parts, this book examines relationships among communication, public relations, and school reform and addresses effective communicative behavior in learning organization, democratic leadership, organizational networks, conflict, positive relationships, and site-based management. Effective Communication for School Administrators is truly a unique text for education professionals and school administrators, as well as those wishing to communicate more successfully.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 PUBLIC RELATIONS, COMMUNICATION, AND SCHOOL REFORM Chapter 2 Seeking Reform in an Information-Based Society Chapter 3 Public Relations in Districts and Schools Chapter 4 Effective Communication: The Nucleus of School Public Relations Chapter 5 School Reform and Effective Administrator Communication Chapter 6 Communicative Competence in School Administration Part 7 APPLICATIONS Chapter 8 Communication and the Learning Organization Chapter 9 Democratic Leadership and Communication Chapter 10 Communication Networks Chapter 11 Managing Conflict Chapter 12 Maintaining Positive Relationships Chapter 13 School-Based Management and Communication

About the Author :
Theodore J. Kowalski is the Kuntz Family Chair in educational administration at the University of Dayton, Ohio. A former teacher, principal, superintendent, and college dean, he is the author of 29 books and over 180 book chapters, journal articles, and research studies. George J. Petersen is professor and chair of educational leadership at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He was previously on the faculty at the University of Missouri and served as associate executive director of the University Council for Educational Administration. Lance D. Fusarelli is associate professor and chair of educational leadership at North Carolina State University, Raleigh. He was formerly on the faculty at Fordham University, New York.

Review :
Improved leadership, implementation, and achievement in education all require good communication: citizens to schools, administrators with teachers, and teachers with children. This important book explains and illustrates in the 'information age' just howto get the word out: the what, to what ends, using what means (including the latest theories & technologies), all for the benefit of education and society.... Kowalski et al. consider the importance of communication for school administrators. They argue that effective communication is linked to effective reform and discuss communication in connection with public relations and school reform, as well as organizational improvement and culture change. They consider it in the context of an information-based and reform -minded society and detail applications of relational communication: making a school a learning organization, practicing democratic leadership, and performing critical tasks such as visioning and planning, managing conflict, building positive relationships, and working with school councils. This book is for courses taken by aspiring and practicing school administrators. No doubt, communication has always been essential to educational leaders. But the unique combination of factors in which contemporary leaders find themselves-an information age, a reform and accountability arena, and learning communities-makes developing communication skills more critical than ever. Kowalski, Petersen, and Fusarelli have created a research-based and practical text that acknowledges these unique contexts and provides an excellent resource for superintendents, principals, and other school leaders for integrating effective communication in their work. Improved leadership, implementation, and achievement in education all require good communication: citizens to schools, administrators with teachers, and teachers with children. This important book explains and illustrates in the 'information age' just how to get the word out: the what, to what ends, using what means (including the latest theories & technologies), all for the benefit of education and society.