Effective Communication for District and School Administrators

Theodore J. Kowalski is Professor and the Kuntz Family Endowed Chair in Educational Administration at the University of Dayton. A former teacher, principal, superintendent, and college dean, he is the author of 31 books and approximately200 book chapters, journal articles, and research studies.

• PrefaceChapter 1: Communication Basics·Introduction·Communication Characteristics­Form­Flow­Status­Action­Symmetry·Theoretical Perspectives­Classical theories­Human relations theories­Systems theories·Synthesis·Reflective questionsChapter 2: Communicating Competently·Introduction·Communicative behavior­Institutional dimension­Personal dimension·Avoiding common problems­Insufficient forethought­Organizational constraints­Personal constraints­Inadequate evaluation·Complementary and Relational Communication·Communicative competence·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 3: Leadership and Relationships·Introduction·Understanding Leadership­Leadership, management, and administration­Formal versus informal leadership·Importance of Relationships­Communicative behavior and relationships­Relationships matter·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 4: Problem Solving, Decision Making, and Critical Thinking·Introduction·Problem Solving­Problem framing­Stages·Decision Making­Types of decisions­Group decision making·Critical Thinking­Language and communication­Reflection·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 5: Organizational Communication·Introduction·Schools as Loosely Coupled Organizations­Schools and coupling­Advantages and disadvantages of loose coupling­Contemporary perspective·Communication Networks­Formal versus informal networks­Bridges or buffers­Beneficial properties­Constructing and applying evidence­Evaluating networks·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 6: School Governance and Democratic Administration·Introduction·Citizen Involvement in School Governance­Democratic localism­Representative democracy­Current conditions·Democratic Administration­Historical context­The second coming ­Democratic administration and communication·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 7: Climate, Culture, and the Learning Organization·Introduction·School Climate ­Elements ­Closed and open climates·School Culture­Elements­Effects­Culture and communication­Why culture change is difficult·School as a Learning Organization­Organizational learning­A learning culture·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 8: Initiating and Sustaining Planned Change·Introduction·Contemporary School Reform­1983-1989­Post 1989·Change Processes­Empirical-rational­Power-coercive­Normative-reeducative·Process Issues: Involvement and Communication­Inclusiveness­Communicating appropriately·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 9: School Partnerships·Introduction·Understanding Partnerships­Definition­Levels of Autonomy­Operational Characteristics·Motives­Community stakeholders­Educators­Collaborating organizations/groups·Why Partnerships Succeed or Fail­Effective Practices­Potential Pitfalls·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 10: Managing Conflict·Introduction·Organizational Conflict­Defining conflict­Conflict in schools·Sources, Types, and Contaminants­Sources and types­Contaminants·Management System and Strategies­System­Strategies·Conflict Management and Communication·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 11: Conducting a Referendum Campaign·Introduction·Key Administrative Responsibilities·Verifying the need·Marketing ·Conducting the Campaign­Organization­Process­Potential pitfalls­Evaluating outcomes·Importance of Communication·Synthesis·Reflective QuestionsChapter 12: Relationships with Media Personnel·Introduction·Working with Journalists­Preparation­Making relationships positive·Initiating Media Coverage­Press releases­Press conferences·Electronic Media Interviews­Video­Audio·Crisis Communication­Before the crisis­During the crisis­After the crisis·Synthesis·Reflective Questions

Ted Kowalski's book on communication has long set the standard in the field, and this newly updated edition should continue that tradition for years to come. It is clearly organized and crisply written, comprehensive without being encyclopedic. Given the profound changes in the way our schools and society have evolved in the last decade, this book is as timely as it is useful.