Analyzing School Contexts

A volume in Research and Theory in Educational AdministrationSeries Editors: Wayne K. Hoy The Ohio State Universityand Michael DiPaola The College of William and MaryAnalyzing School Contexts is the ninth volume in a series of research and theory in school administrationdedicated to advancing our understanding of schools through empirical study and theoretical analysis.The current selection of readings is loosely organized around the broad topics of school contexts leadershipand organizational properties that influence the effectiveness of schools. The book begins with a reflectiveanalysis of the importance of organizational theories and theorizing in educational in administration and thenproceeds to examine research on how leaders especially principals can strengthen the instructional and academiccapacity of the school to enhance teachers' effectiveness in producing strong student outcomes. The analyses deal not only with what instructionalleadership practices make positive differences in teaching and learning but also with how district leadership is pivotal in developing schoolpartnerships with business and how district mentoring programs to develop future school leaders succeed. Finally we examine school climate academicoptimism of teachers organizational trust and the constraints and opportunities that the law provides to develop and maintain a respectfulschool environment conducive to learning.This series on Theory and Research in Educational Administration is about understanding schools. We welcome articles and analyses thatexplain school organizations and administration. We are interested in the why questions about schools. To that end case analyses surveys largedata base analyses experimental studies and theoretical analyses are all welcome. We provide the space for authors to do comprehensive analyseswhere that is appropriate and useful. We believe that the Theory and Research in Educational Administration Series has the potential to make animportant contribution to our field but we will be successful only if our colleagues continue to join us in this mission. So join with us; let us hear fromyou if you have theory and research that will enlighten our understanding of schools.