Asking the Right Questions: A Guide to Continuous Improvement with Stakeholder Input [Paperback]

This book outlines a practical, four-question model that school and business leaders can use to engage stakeholder feedback, determine the organizations DNA, and establish a collective vision for improvement. Stakeholder feedback is analyzed at both the focus- and whole-group level. Results are then woven into the organizational improvement plan. Practical examples of leadership experiences in implementing the four-question model are included as well as the theory behind why these four questions are the right questions to ask. Each chapter ends with a set of reflective questions that leadership teams can utilize individually or in an organizational book study or Professional Learning Community (PLC).

Stu Silberman has been a teacher, principal, superintendent and the executive director of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. Stu was Kentuckys superintendent of the year three times and a final four national superintendent of the year.

Gay Burden has worked at school, district, and state educational levels. Currently, Gay works as an educational consultant to support district and school improvement efforts across the country.

Margaret Wheatley once stated that real change begins with the simple act of people talking about what they care about. Although she talked about how change happens in business, the idea is relevant to how real change happens in education. This new book, much needed and long overdue, is a perfect example. It offers a thoughtful and compelling vision for ways educational leaders can facilitate real change. Specifically, it describes a new vision of what educational leadership can be and how it can use stakeholder input to promote continuous district-wide improvement.

It is based on sound theoretical principles: educational leadership is proactive and collaborative, it values the voices of all stakeholders, and it recognizes reflection and feedback as critical to the process of continuous improvement. While thelo