Working together for excellence for all children 

As our society faces daunting and evolving challenges, education might well be the social institution that offers the most hope and opportunity for change. Overloaded with multiple, diverse issues, however, where do educational leaders even begin? 

Davis Campbell and Michael Fullan believe efficacy must be achieved with a systems focus.The Governance Core provides strategies and tools for board members, superintendents and school leaders to unify and face the complex challenges of school governance together. Practical and authentic, the Governance Core is based upon:

A governance mindsetA shared moral imperativeA unified, cohesive governance system  A commitment to system-wide coherence A focus on continuous improvement in the district 

Essential for local education governance school boards in collaboration with district and school leadership this guide will help you operate at the highest levels of effectiveness.

 

Foreword by Frank Pugh
Foreword by John Malloy
Introduction: Politics, Governance, and System Improvement
Unity of Purpose: Driven by a Shared Moral Imperative
Politics, Governance, and System Improvement
How This Book Is Structured
Shift to Positive Drivers
Concluding Comments
PART I: MINDSETS FOR EFFICACY
Chapter 1. Moral Imperative and the Governance Core
The Nature of Governance
A Fundamental Choice
Five Major Themes of Good Governance
The Governance Core
Concluding Comments
Chapter 2. Trustee Governance Mindset
Systems Thinking
Strategic Focus
Deep Learning
Manner
Concluding Comments
Chapter 3. Superintendent Governance Mindset
Typical Governance Styles
Examples of Purposeful Superintendent Support for Governance
What These Superintendents Have in Common
Supporting a Trustee Governance Mindset
Concluding Comments
Chapter 4. Welcoming New Trustees
The First 100 Days: What the Board Should Do
The First 100 Days: What New Trustees Should Do
Concluding Comments
PART II: GOVERNING FOR EFFICACY
Chapter 5. Governing With Coherence
Coherence
Coherence Making
Coherence in Perspective
Distractions and Challenges to Coherence
Concluding Comments
Chapter 6. Governance Culture
Processes That Develop Governance Infrastructure
Concluding Comments
Chapter 7. The Governance Job: Systems Thinking and Strategic Action
Setting Strategic Direction
Policy Direction and Approval
Stewardship and Support
Oversight and Accountability
Community Leadership Throughout
Concluding Comments
Chapter 8. Governance Tools
Discussion Meetings
Governance Handbooks
Board Self-Evaluations
Continuing Board Education
Concluding Comments
PART III: THE CHALLENGES AHEAD
Chapter 9. Rising to the Occasion
All Rise
Appendix I: Template for Creating Board Protocols
Appendix II: Three Comparisons of Effective Governance Principles
References
Index
Acknowledgments
About the Authors