Cage-Busting Leadership

"I believe that two things are true. It is true, as would-be reformers often argue, that statutes, policies, rules, regulations, contracts, and case law make it tougher than it should be for school and system leaders to drive improvement and, well, lead. However, it is also the case that leaders have far more freedom to transform, reimagine, and invigorate teaching, learning, and schooling than is widely believed." In his travels across the country, Rick Hess has met school and system leaders who have shared stories about evading, blasting through, or reshaping unnecessary and counterproductive constraints. Drawing on these stories, and with his sharp eye, Hess shows current and aspiring leaders how they can cultivate and sustain powerful cultures of teaching and learning. A practical and entertaining volume, Cage-Busting Leadership will be of profound interest and value to school and district leaders--and to everyone with a stake in school improvement. "Rick Hess challenges our educational leaders to take on the laws, rules, and regulations that prevent them from implementing true transformational changes to our educational systems. Citing many examples of leaders who have busted out of the cage, Hess illustrates the tough decisions that can be made to provide the quality education that we seek for our students. Cage-Busting Leadership is not for the faint of heart." -- Dan Domenech, executive director, American Association of School Administrators "This is not just a how-to guide, it is a why-not manifesto." -- John E. Deasy, superintendent, Los Angeles Unified School District "Rick Hess is a modern-day Mark Twain. He distills the truth and renders it understandable, humorous, and palatable in the process." -- James W. Guthrie, superintendent of public instruction, Nevada and senior fellow and director of education policy studies, George W. Bush Institute "Cage-Busting Leadership should be required reading for every school leader in America. Our schools need people who understand how to break down barriers, enabling good teachers to do great work and students from all backgrounds to learn and thrive." -- Becca Bracy Knight, executive director, The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems Frederick M. Hess is resident scholar and director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.