ABSTRACT

Principals are responsible for an increasing range of duties in an era of school reform, standardized testing, and more. These responsibilities are even greater in high schools, which are many times larger and more complex than elementary and middle schools. Yet little has been written on the special challenges of high schools and their leadership. This book fills the gap by exploring the challenges specific to high schools, including their size and complexity, the special difficulties in improving instruction, the crucial role of high schools for students' futures, adolescent behavioral issues, and many more. Grubb shows how principals and other leaders can address the complexities of multiple pathways, or efforts to create theme-based trajectories through high school - one of the most promising high school reforms. Looking to the future, he offers alternative ways of preparing professionals for high schools, and the responsibilities of districts for improving high schools and their leadership.

chapter Chapter 1|29 pages

“Inspiring Work,” “Sunup to Sundown and Beyond”

The Enduring Dilemmas of the American High School

chapter Chapter 2|46 pages

“You Can't Do It All”

The Special Conditions of High School Leadership

chapter Chapter 3|52 pages

“The Jewels in Our Crown”

Leadership Demands in High Schools with Pathways

chapter Chapter 4|20 pages

“Opportunities Together, Opportunities Separate”

Improving the Preparation of High School Leaders

chapter Chapter 5|25 pages

“Some Joke Show”

District Support for High Schools and Multiple Pathways

chapter Chapter 6|18 pages

“There's Simply More to Do”

The Possible Futures of High Schools