Read Case Study b18 A Disillusioned Assistant Principal on pages 121-125 in the attached Kowlaski textbook and answer questions 1-10 on pages 125.
Problem Framing
- Assume you are Amber. First determine the main issue (problem) in this case. Then describe the current state and the desired state of this issue. (The section on prob-lem framing in the Introduction section of this book defines the problem framing process.)
- Based on evidence provided in the case, describe the dif-ficulty associated with eliminating the gap between the present state and desired state.
Questions and Suggested Activities - Do you believe that Amber has a realistic perspective about her role as assistant principal? Why or why not?
- If you were Amber, would you remain at Polk until the end of the school year? Why or why not?
- When you began teaching, to what extent did you expe-rience workplace socialization? How did you respond to socialization?
- In what ways is workplace socialization for teachers dif-ferent than workplace socialization for administrators?
- Evaluate Principal Denko's statements about the differences between dreams and realities in schooling dis-advantaged students. Do you agree with him? Why or why not?
- Amber is surprised that the administrators and faculty have learned to live with pervasive conflict. Specifically, they are on opposite sides in most day-to-day matters but yet have managed to be friends outside of school. Based on your studies and experiences in schools, is such behav-ior common?
- Is the principal responsible for the attitudes teachers have about low-performing students? Why or why not?
- Why is socialization a critical process in schools?
- Based on what you read in this case, is the culture of Polk Middle School strong or weak?
- Based on what you have studied and experienced in schools, what must be done to make Polk Middle School more effective?
Sample Solution