Effective Communication for District and School Administrators

The book is a unique and necessary contribution to the literature on school administration. Research, theory, and practice were melded to produce a book that can be used as a primary or supplemental text or as professional growth resource for practitioners. Communication scholars, especially since 1990, have concluded that competence must be defined and studied in the context of professions. As such, a growing number of medical schools, law schools, and business schools have integrated communication into their curricula. This book provides a resource for such integration into the study and practice of district and school administration.

Table of Contents:
Preface Chapter 1: Communication Basics IntroductionCommunication CharacteristicsFormFlowStatusActionSymmetryTheoretical PerspectivesClassical theoriesHuman relations theoriesSystems theoriesSynthesisReflective questions Chapter 2: Communicating Competently IntroductionCommunicative behaviorInstitutional dimensionPersonal dimensionAvoiding common problemsInsufficient forethoughtOrganizational constraintsPersonal constraintsInadequate evaluationComplementary and Relational CommunicationCommunicative competenceSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 3: Leadership and Relationships IntroductionUnderstanding LeadershipLeadership, management, and administrationFormal versus informal leadershipImportance of RelationshipsCommunicative behavior and relationshipsRelationships matterSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 4: Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Critical Thinking IntroductionProblem SolvingProblem framingStagesDecision MakingTypes of decisionsGroup decision makingCritical ThinkingLanguage and communicationReflectionSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 5: Organizational Communication IntroductionSchools as Loosely Coupled OrganizationsSchools and couplingAdvantages and disadvantages of loose couplingContemporary perspectiveCommunication NetworksFormal versus informal networksBridges or buffersBeneficial propertiesConstructing and applying evidenceEvaluating networksSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 6: School Governance and Democratic Administration IntroductionCitizen Involvement in School GovernanceDemocratic localismRepresentative democracyCurrent conditionsDemocratic AdministrationHistorical contextThe second coming Democratic administration and communicationSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 7: Climate, Culture, and the Learning Organization IntroductionSchool Climate Elements Closed and open climatesSchool CultureElementsEffectsCulture and communicationWhy culture change is difficultSchool as a Learning OrganizationOrganizational learningA learning cultureSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 8: Initiating and Sustaining Planned Change IntroductionContemporary School Reform1983-1989Post 1989Change ProcessesEmpirical-rationalPower-coerciveNormative-reeducativeProcess Issues: Involvement and CommunicationInclusivenessCommunicating appropriatelySynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 9: School Partnerships IntroductionUnderstanding PartnershipsDefinitionLevels of AutonomyOperational CharacteristicsMotivesCommunity stakeholdersEducatorsCollaborating organizations/groupsWhy Partnerships Succeed or FailEffective PracticesPotential PitfallsSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 10: Managing Conflict IntroductionOrganizational ConflictDefining conflictConflict in schoolsSources, Types, and ContaminantsSources and typesContaminantsManagement System and StrategiesSystemStrategiesConflict Management and CommunicationSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 11: Conducting a Referendum Campaign IntroductionKey Administrative ResponsibilitiesVerifying the needMarketing Conducting the CampaignOrganizationProcessPotential pitfallsEvaluating outcomesImportance of CommunicationSynthesisReflective Questions Chapter 12: Relationships with Media Personnel IntroductionWorking with JournalistsPreparationMaking relationships positiveInitiating Media CoveragePress releasesPress conferencesElectronic Media InterviewsVideoAudioCrisis CommunicationBefore the crisisDuring the crisisAfter the crisisSynthesisReflective Questions

About the Author :
Theodore J. Kowalski is Professor and the Kuntz Family Endowed Chair in Educational Administration at the University of Dayton. A former teacher, principal, superintendent, and college dean, he is the author of 31 books and approximately200 book chapters, journal articles, and research studies.

Review :
Ted Kowalski's book on communication has long set the standard in the field, and this newly updated edition should continue that tradition for years to come. It is clearly organized and crisply written, comprehensive without being encyclopedic. Given the profound changes in the way our schools and society have evolved in the last decade, this book is as timely as it is useful. In this time of an information saturated society, effective communication is essential for all school leaders. This book considers not only the basics of communication but also how communication affects relationships, organizations, partnerships, and school reform. While this text is grounded in research, Kowalski squarely addresses communication within the context of practice for school leaders, including issues of media relations, social media, conflict resolution, organizational climate, and tax referendum campaigns. Communication has always been important to organizational life. Advents in electronic communication, adaptive leadership styles, and organizational structure increase needs for effective and efficient communication. This text conveys the essence of communication as it relates to conventional and emergent organizational needs. The 2nd edition of Effective Communication for School Administrators is unique in that it applies communication perspectives to school tax referendum campaigns, media relations, social media, partnerships and conflict management. The author also offers crucial insights into the ongoing process of educational reform, clarifies its dilemmas and presents possibilities for improving outcomes through excellent communication. The highly relevant material, syntheses and reflective questions make this book indispensable to veteran and aspiring leaders focused on making systemic, long-term changes in their organizations.