| What is an "issue"? An issue derives from tension, or cognitive dissonance. Research or law may be reasonably clear on something but different collections of people—a community, a pressure group, political blocs, academicians—take a position contrary to the research or current practice. Or, there may be insufficient research and an ongoing argument about "what is right." Think of the controversy that continues to surround the selection of textbooks, or prayer in schools, or retention of students, or school vouchers, and so on. In other words, the controversy has a reasonable basis for solution, but many do not accept this reasonable basis.
This book is about matters of importance in how schools are conducted. The particular issues making up the book were identified after some brainstorming sessions that focused on two questions: What is important to today's school leaders? and What is interfering with schooling processes? Contributors were selected with care and include a broad range of individuals who have demonstrated their interest and abilities with the subjects in question by experience and previous writings.
The book comprises three parts: Social and Political Issues, Curriculum and Learning Issues, and Organization and Management Issues. Contributing authors were encouraged to focus on the issues as issues that is, to focus on matters for which positions can be taken and arguments waged. They were asked not only to explore the issues but also to take a position on the issues they are exploring. The structure of the book flows from context issues to curriculum and organizational issues. Each chapter concludes with a case study or a series of questions or both to help readers understand the concepts that have been presented.
Fundamental to the nature of this work is that teachers are an important part of the leadership structure of schools. This is even more so in the current ways of organizing but, really, teachers have always been important players—even if not formally recognized as such—in the drama of formal schooling. Anyone who has ever performed as a school administrator recognizes the power to lead that many teachers possess and use!
Author Biographies
C. M. ACHILLES, EdD
Chuck Achilles holds joint professorial appointments at Seton Hall University and at Eastern Michigan University. His most recent books are Let's Put Kids First, Finally: Getting Class Size Right (Corwin, 1999) and Problem Analysis (Eye on Education, 1997). His several areas of research interests include class size and student outcomes, student behavior, public confidence in public schools, and preparation of school administrators. In addition to authored and coauthored books and chapters on these topics, he has more than 300 contributions in the professional literature.
Dr. Achilles began his professional education career in 1959. He has teaching and administrative experience in private and public schools and universities. He has been a professor at the University of Tennessee and at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. In 2000, he received the coveted Living Legend Award from the National Conference of Professors of Educational Administration.
His doctorate in education is from the University of Rochester. |
