SLI team members have contributed to publications on a wide variety of educational subjects. SLI Co-Directors Karen Morris and John Simmons have both served as editors and authors for several books.
As a co-author of School Leadership in Times of Urban Reform, Karen Morris related her experience as the principal who led Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy from being a failing Chicago elementary school into one whose successful transformation continues to be a role model throughout the system. You may order a copy of this book online.
John Simmons has a longtime background in writing on employee relations, leadership development, and building more efficient, effective businesses, as well as education. His most recent book Breaking Through: Transforming Urban School Districts was published in December, 2005 by Teachers College Press. It offers specific guidance - from the boardroom to the classroom - for those who want to see entire school districts raise scores and close the gap. His book Working Together: Employee Participation in Action was first released in 1982, and was published in Chinese and Russian editions. It continues to be a resource for leading change from the boardrooms to the classroom. The Education Dilemma: Policy Issues for Developing Countries drew on his work at the World Bank.
In addition to our direct work with schools and school networks, SLI is also active in research and policy development around issues critical to school improvement. SLI’s research is based on data from our own in-school program; assessment of challenges and solutions for school improvement in Chicago and across the nation.
We share our results and research findings with others by leading and participating in conferences and presentations, contributing to professional journals, and through our own publications.
Following are articles on our research available for download in PDF format.