Whole-Faculty Study Groups: A Powerful Way to Change Schools and Enhance Learning

By Dale W. Lick and Carlene U. Murphy

Book Overview

"Recognizing the value of study groups is only the first step. To make study groups work, you have to know how. The authors offer sound advice on how to set up study groups that teachers will enjoy and support." Ron Brandt, Former Executive Editor, Journal for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, from the Foreword "This book can change the professional interactions of teachers in schools." Barry S. Shelofsky, Principal, Jackson Elementary School, Greeley, Colorado "The collected wisdom of how to′ in this book will be an invaluable asset for teachers pursuing collegial efforts to refine their craft." Linda Gerstle, Director, ATLAS Communities, Boston, Massachusetts "A book filled with practical advice for those involved with educational reform. It provides the theory, strategies, and examples to begin a journey to high levels of learning for all students and staff members." Dennis Sparks, Executive Director, National Staff Development Council, from the Foreword "The study group philosophy has given my staff a framework to focus on discussions that relate directly to teaching and learning." A. Ronald Attarian, Principal, Rhodes Middle School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Get your entire teaching staff working together on one set of organizational goals. Find out how you can improve student learning, raise staff performance, and create conditions for continuous school improvement. This new book offers you, as a school leader, the practical guidance you need to start, lead, and maintain faculty study groups. Professional study groups will give your teachers a forum for: * Establishing and working toward shared goals * Breaking down barriers among themselves * Building individual, team, and organizational resilience * Planning and learning more effectively * Learning to deal with "what is" while envisioning "what could be" * Translating principles of teaching and learning into real practice Murphy and Lick provide an overview of different types of faculty study groups, along with the benefits and drawbacks of each. The authors offer you the tools and techniques you need to determine what a study group can accomplish, get buy-in from your staff, and focus your teachers on the study group′s goals. Give your staff a common purpose: to facilitate the kind of realistic, positive school change that will make a lasting difference for every student in your school.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803967276
• ISBN13: 9780803967274
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Corwin
• Length: 216 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 8.5" x 0.5"

Customer Reviews

A powerful and effective guidebook!

I found this book to be invaluable in establishing professional study groups within our school. Presently the whole faculty is participating in an adaptation of this process, with good results! The book is readable, well-organized, and contains enough information to get this process off to a good start!