Organizational Behavior for School Leadership by Leslie S Kaplan

Organizational Behavior for School Leadership by Leslie S Kaplan

Organizational Behavior for School Leadership provides a theoretical and practical framework to help emerging leaders build the mental models they need to be effective. Presenting traditional, modern, and contemporary perspectives, each chapter offers opportunities for readers to reflect on the ideas and apply their leadership perspective and skills to their own work settings. In this way, this important book helps graduate students in educational leadership understand organizational situations and circumstances, an essential step in making appropriate decisions about people, school operations, and the community that generate improved student and teacher outcomes.

Special features include:

• Guiding questions—chapter openers to initiate student thinking.
• Case studies and companion rubrics—engage students in applying content to real-life school scenarios with guiding rubrics to help think through answers.
• Reflections and relevance—interactive learning activities, simulations, and graphic assignments deepen readers' understanding.
• PSEL Standards—each chapter aligns with the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders.
• Companion website—includes case studies and rubrics, supplementary materials, additional readings, and PowerPoint slides for instructors.

"At once comprehensive with respect to models and theories of organizational change, while also containing practical guidelines and learning objectives, Organizational Behavior for School Leadership is a gem of a bookThis treasure trove of system insights, case studies, and targeted ideas for reflections and actions reads like a guide to improving your leadership and those with whom you work. I highly recommend it."
-Michael Fullan O.C., Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto

"The most powerful integration of theory and practice on school leadership that I have seen. One of the rare books that leaves learners ready to lead."
-Joseph Murphy, Frank W. Mayborn Chair of Education and Associate Dean, Peabody College of Education, Vanderbilt University

"Organizational Behavior for School Leadership sets the stage for future administrators to learn, grow and become in the art of effective leadership. As a former building principal, district office administrator and currently a practicing consultant in the area of school organization and restructuring, I commend the work of Dr. Leslie Kaplan and Dr. William Owings for providing a thorough review of the history and research of organizational behavior accompanied by practical suggestions for implementation. Knowing this text is available as a guide, I have great hope for the leaders of tomorrow’s schools and districts."
-Elliot Y. Merenbloom, Educational Consultant, Co-Author of The Educational Leader’s Guide for School Scheduling

Leslie S. Kaplan is a retired school and district-level administrator and a full-time education writer. Kaplan is a former Adjunct Professor of Educational Leadership at Old Dominion University, USA, and she served over two decades on the National Association for Secondary School Principals Bulletin Editorial Board.

William A. Owings is late Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership at Old Dominion University, USA, and has been a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent of schools. In 2023, the National Education Finance Academy honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award.