Clues to Achieving Consensus: A Leader's Guide to Navigating Collaborative Problem-Solving.Clues to Achieving Consensus: A Leader's Guide to Navigating Collaborative Problem-Solving by Mirja P. Hanson, Rowman & Littlefield Education, Lanham, Md., 2005, 236 pp., $33.95 softcover soft·cov·er adj. Not bound between hard covers: softcover books; a softcover edition. School administrators are continually searching for ways to include stakeholders Stakeholders All parties that have an interest, financial or otherwise, in a firm-stockholders, creditors, bondholders, employees, customers, management, the community, and the government. in the development of solutions for complex issues facing public education. Whether the search is based on a district commitment to involvement or in response to state and national legislative mandates, administrators need processes to engage stakeholders in meaningful dialogue. Mirja P. Hanson provides a well-researched, thoughtful and insightful discussion on collaborative problem solving Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) is a behavior management approach developed for children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. The CPS approach views behavioral challenges as a form of learning disability and seeks to correct behavior through cognitive intervention. based on 28 years of experience in strategic planning Strategic planning is an organization's process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and people. , consensus building and community development. Clues to Achieving Consensus provides historical background on collaborative problem solving as well as timely real-life examples. Consensus building is not for the faint of heart. The process is time- and energy-consuming and prone to all of the pitfalls of human nature, with an emphasis on immediate remedies to multidimensional mul·ti·di·men·sion·al adj. Of, relating to, or having several dimensions. mul  ti·di·men problems. Clues to Achieving Consensus provides a complete description of the process and the various roles members play in successful problem-solving groups. Hanson explains in detail obstacles that might arise and solutions to these moments of frustration. Administrators may find the descriptions and analysis of these various roles useful in everyday dealings with stakeholders within the district or school. Administrators who are looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. tools of engagement not normally taught in graduate school will find this book to be a well-written resource. Proponents of model schools, total quality management and effective school reform will find common ground within the process and guidelines guidelines, n.pl a set of standards, criteria, or specifications to be used or followed in the performance of certain tasks. . As the author often suggests, consensus building is not an easy or quick process. Reviewed by Jim Hattabaugh, superintendent, Mansfield School District, Mansfield, Ark. |
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