The article "Getting lost in translation" by Harris, Chapman, Muijs and Reynolds addresses the engagement of policy-makers and educational practitioners with (the results of) educational effectiveness and improvement research. In this commentary the article is discussed from the perspectives of research utilisation, the solidity of the educational…

There is an emergent field of effective leadership of schools that is the product of recent policy strategies regarding the relationship between the state, public policy and knowledge. It is argued in this paper that this is producing a centralised branded form of effective leadership for the commissioning and delivery of provision that is…

The article raises issues about the current direction of the field of educational leadership and management. It argues that we should consider a re-orientation of the field in order to renew its concern with ideas connected with organization, which include viewing organizations as complex adaptive systems and taking an institutional perspective.…

Trainers and developers of school leaders across the globe are currently searching for models of best practice leadership development programmes. Are there generic features and principles of design underpinning such programmes? This article argues that corroborative evidence of what works in leadership training and development--to influence…

This article employs the concepts of "professional jurisdiction" and "formal knowledge" to examine threats to teacher professionalism in England arising from the British government's "workload remodelling" policy to expand the numbers and remit of staff in schools without qualified teacher status. The connection between knowledge and professional…

Teacher leadership has been shackled by archaic definitions of leadership and timeworn assumptions about who can lead. Such ideas have situated leadership in the hands of a few formal leaders. Teachers have not seen themselves reflected in these prevailing notions, nor invited into the process. This article argues that a new definition of…

Until comparatively recently, the survival and success of Church of England and Roman Catholic schools within the English dual system was not given much attention by liberal commentators. However, the general popularity of faith schools among parents and their particular role within current government policy has encouraged the Church of England to…

Proposes and extensively discusses six topologies to help understand the who, what, where, and why of knowledge production (research) in school leadership: producers, positions, provinces, practices, processes, and perspectives. (Contains 6 tables and 60 references.) (PKP)

Critiques major topics or themes in school-leadership texts, such as problem-solving techniques; suggests alternative topics or themes for school administrators, such as ideas-based leadership. Draws implications for writers on school leadership. (Contains 59 references.) (PKP)

Challenges current orthodoxy of school organizations and seeks to extend the current debate about distributed leadership. Offers an inclusive view of teacher leadership. Focuses on learning-centered development in which teachers act strategically to improve the quality of teaching and learning. Includes illustrative cases and proposals for…

Argues that there is widespread unhappiness among teachers in United Kingdom schools caused largely by a combination of neo-liberal domination of global and national agendas and the government's micromanagement of schools. Discusses consequences for learning communities and the professionalism of teaching. Draws implications for educational…

This essay intends to examine the moral character of learning and teaching and the concomitant implications for educational leaders. With the academic curriculum in mind, I ask the basic question: why should young people learn the standard academic curriculum that schools confront them with? Although the expected answer might be, in the present…

A principal who headed various Tasmanian schools observes the prevalence of micropolitics and describes the micropolitics involved in an assisted self-renewal process. Greater attention to fact through research and data collection, more intentional communication strategies, shared decision making, and greater understanding of micropolitics will…

A principal describes her experience under the changes implemented recently in England and Wales. She describes leadership challenges and some strategies that use micropolitics to effect positive outcomes. She successfully employed tension and confrontation as steps toward change and encouraged participation in decision making. (MLH)

The superintendent of a wealthy, rural school district describes the unique context of schooling reform in Westchester County, New York. Pressures for reform coming from parents and the community lead to interschool competition and spark micropolitics that spill out into the community. Successful schools have greater autonomy and empowered…