Despite the lack of formal training regarding the political aspects of their positions, newly appointed school and district leaders quickly learn from experience that public education is directly tied to local, state and national political systems. Superintendents, in particular, find themselves tenuously juggling their district responsibilities along with numerous outside political pressures, assumptions, agendas, and 'improvements" initiatives. Managing political aspects of the job can be daunting. In his most recent book on politics and power structures, Scott Norton captures the importance for public educational leaders to competently navigate the currents of political thought, influences, and agendas that influence the work of school leaders and the success of their school systems. Norton thoughtfully identifies strategies that assist educational leaders in their efforts to work collaboratively with political partners. This must read book addresses important aspects of school and district leadership that are commonly overlooked in formal training.

Michael Cowan, EdD, superintendent of schools, Mesa, Arizona

Norton identifies the importance of school leaders taking a proactive, savvy approach to understanding their community and knowing about how decision-makers operate. He provides an overview of power base identification and how to analyze such structures. Improving Education in a World of Politics rightly affirms that school administrator preparation programs must include coursework and subsequent attention to why, when and how school leaders engage the political processes at the local, state and federal levels.

School Administrator