Myers Education Press The Educational Leader's Guide to Improvement Science: Data, Design and Cases for Reflection (Improvement Science in Education and Beyond)

The Educational Leader’s Guide to Improvement Science: Data, Design and Cases for Reflection is a collection of edited chapters illustrating applied organizational problem-solving using methods of Improvement Science in educational leadership. Early chapters introduce Improvement Science, along with an overview, rationale, and challenges for exploring this emerging field. The reader is led through a logical sequence of inquiry, presented with cases of educational dilemma matched with principles of improvement science and provided examples of research methodology applied in context. Because Improvement Science research is so quickly becoming a signature pedagogy and core subject area of inquiry in the field of educational leadership, the literature is scant in its coverage of improvement science models; it is the purpose of this publication to fill the void by providing concrete examples, through case studies, of instances where improvement research methods and analyses can be embedded to enhance and strengthen efforts at organizational improvement. This text concentrates on the elements faculty, students, and administrators need; specific models where improvement science frameworks enhance the reliability and validity of improvement or quality enhancement efforts. Review Across educational sectors, we strive to make our make our curricula rigorous and relevant for students; The Educational Leader's Guide to Improvement Science challenges educational leaders to be rigorous in our analysis of problems and relevant as we implement context-specific solutions. While introducing improvement science as a methodology, The Guide gives leaders a handbook of tools with examples for authentic utilization. Additionally, the contributors illustrate the applicability of the method in micro and macro settings, making it a useful tool for everyone from aspiring leaders to CEOs. It is evident that improvement science methodology has the great potential for accelerating improvement, and those serious about transforming education should read this book.--Sharon L. Contreras, PhD, Superintendent, Guilford County SchoolsCrow, Hinnant-Crawford and Spaulding's book on the intersection of school leadership and improvement science is an essential resource for those transforming the education doctorate as well as for those preparing to lead schools. The book features a dozen chapters by practitioners of improvement science as well as chapters showcasing the promise of this important pedagogy. Both novices and experienced practitioners will find much to enhance their use of improvement science.--David Imig, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Foundation; Chair, Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate Board; Professor of the Practice at the University of MarylandEducators spend a great deal of time having to think about and justify their actions related to continuous improvement initiatives within their programs and district. Often, these introspective investigations occur without the theoretical or foundational supports necessary to help guide these inquiries, leaving the participants grappling at artifacts and data, with no cohesive way to utilize that content for continuous improvement. The Educational Leader's Guide to Improvement Science: Data, Design and Cases for Reflection edited by Robert Crow, Brandi Nicole Hinnant-Crawford, and Dean T. Spaulding will provide an indispensable resource for practitioners and researchers as they address the effective utilization of data to guide their improvement science initiatives. This readable and useful text provides informational support for novice as well as expert improvement scientists as they learn and apply the terms and concepts related to the field. A generous utilization of figures and graphs provide effective visuals that make the relationships between concepts more approachable and understandable. Cases situated around realistic educational contexts provide opportunities fo