Additional information
by Nancy Fichtman Dana (Author)
"The most important work of the school leader is to promote profound levels of learning in students and faculty, but only principals who know how to promote their own learning on the job can foster the learning of others. Here′s how!"
--Roland S. Barth, Founding Director
Harvard Principals′ Center
"Finally, a book for administrators that validates their role in the area of action research! All administrator preparation programs should use this book."
--Margarete Couture, Principal
South Seneca Central School District, Interlaken, NY
Become the "head learner" in your school by engaging in action research!
While much has been written about the effectiveness of action research for improving the practice of teachers, few resources exist for leading principals through the process to strengthen their professional development and their role in school improvement efforts.
Best-selling and award-winning author Nancy Fichtman Dana guides principals in identifying and exploring areas of interest for research, including staff development, curriculum development, individual teachers, community/culture building, leadership skills, building management, and school performance. With a step-by-step approach, this resource:
- Helps principals develop a question, collect and analyze data, and share the results of their inquiry with school faculty, the district, and the broader education community
- Includes numerous examples of actual principal inquiry to illustrate each step of the research process
- Provides exercises to guide principals through their own inquiry projects
Use this proven method of professional development to continually cultivate your craft and improve school performance!
Author Biography
Nancy Fichtman Dana is currently a professor of education and the director of the Center for School Improvement at the University of Florida. Under her direction, the Center promotes and supports practitioner inquiry (action research) as a core mechanism for school improvement in schools throughout the state. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher in Hannibal Central Schools, New York, and has worked closely with teachers and administrators on action research, building professional learning communities, and school-university collaborations in Florida and Pennsylvania since 1990. She has authored numerous articles in professional journals focused on teacher inquiry, as well as a best-selling book (with Diane Yendol-Hoppey) on the action research process from Corwin Press--The Reflective Educator′s Guide to Classroom Research.
