Educational effectiveness research (EER) has accumulated much knowledge in the areas of school effectiveness research (SER), teacher effectiveness research (TER) and school/system improvement research (SSIR). Yet many schools and educational systems are not making enough use of the material and their insights. The article reviews evidence of…

This article outlines progress made towards education transformation in Wales. It explores the way in which tri-level reform is guiding system level change in Wales and looks at the implementation of the School Effectiveness Framework, which is at the heart of the reform process. It describes the way in which professional learning communities are…

This article considers the challenges and issues facing school leaders in the implementation of Every Child Matters. It outlines the factors that contribute to the effective delivery of Every Child Matters and outlines some of the barriers that make the delivery of this agenda more difficult. The article concludes that school leaders play a…

This article provides an overview of the literature concerning successful school leadership. It draws on the international literature and is derived from a more extensive review of the literature completed in the early stage of the authors' project. The prime purpose of this review is to summarise the main findings from the wealth of empirical…

This article considers the ways in which distributed forms of leadership can positively influence school development and change. The article focuses on the findings from an initial evaluation and impact assessment of a leadership programme provided by the "Specialist Schools and Academies Trust" for teachers in their first five years of teaching.…

The leadership challenges facing most head teachers can at times be daunting but for those leading schools in difficulty, the challenges are acute. This article draws upon the personal experience of an executive leader in a school facing difficult circumstances. It will firstly, outline and analyse this model of leadership and secondly, look at…

Focuses on the issue of teacher leadership and explores various interpretations and definitions within the literature. Examines the relationship between teacher leadership and distributed leadership, focusing particularly upon the idea of activity theory. Suggests that there are some important connections and overlaps between distributed…

Outlines findings from study funded by the National College for School Leadership that explored effective leadership in a group of secondary schools in challenging circumstances. Highlights the key characteristics and features of leadership approaches adopted, and argues that the heads in the study operated a shared or distributed model of…

Presents a new model of effective school leadership based on recent empirical research (nonautobiographical case studies) on 12 British headteachers. Demonstrates how the multiperspective methodology contributed to a critique of existing leadership models and development of a grounded and value-led contingency model. (Contains 65 references.) (MLH)

Examines the (British) local education authority's role in building capacity for school improvement. Describes the successful Quality Education for All Project, which focuses on the teaching/learning process and the school and classroom conditions (like teacher collaboration) that support school improvement. LEA helping strategies must be…

In UK schools, improvement is demanded and expected. The 10-year-old Quality of Education for All project, emphasizing both structural and cultural change at the school level, has achieved demonstrable success in diverse school contexts. Insights on the theory, process, and practice of school improvement are discussed. (MLH)

The Improving the Quality for All project in England and the Manitoba School Improvement Program in Canada have demonstrated considerable success in working with schools. This article traces both programs' development, analyzes their different approaches, and reveals commonalities. Both programs encourage teacher collaboration and foster…

Acknowledges the importance of the secondary department head's role in schoolwide change and outlines tensions and middle-management dilemmas. Analyzes the dynamic between leadership and culture within the departmental context. Heads of departments play a major role in managing cultural change and can make a difference in departmental performance.…

Reviews research on pedagogical, managerial, and organizational aspects of effective teaching, highlighting teaching effects, models, and artistry. Effective teaching depends highly on the nature of educational outcomes and goals; requires central qualities, skills, and behaviors; demands an extensive repertoire of teaching styles; and is linked…

Focuses upon differential strategies for school development and improvement. Much improvement research has emphasized systemic change without considering schools' differing capacities for change and development. Varying improvement strategies and interventions are needed for (failing, low-achieving, and effective) schools at different…