ERIC Number: EJ1136030
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2161-7252
EISSN: N/A
Conceptualizations of School Leadership among High School Principals in Jamaica
Newman, Mairette
Journal of International Education and Leadership, v3 n3 Fall 2013
Drawing on evidence from research that adopted a qualitative case study design and used grounded theory methods of data analysis, this study examined how selected high school principals in Jamaica conceptualize school leadership. Data were sourced from semi-structured interviews, field observations as well as from school, principal and official Ministry of Education documents. Four critical aspects of the principals' conceptualizations are discussed: (a) the principals' understandings of leadership are primarily moral; (b) their leadership practices are organized around common values; (c) their leadership is sensitive to and interacts with a range of overlapping contexts; and (d) differences in personal and school community contexts account for variations in their leadership emphases and practices. The findings confirm the interpretation of school leadership as a moral undertaking; however, the principals in this study applied their understanding in individual ways, modifying their practices in response to unique contextual elements. The article concludes by suggesting how these findings can serve as a guide for future decisions about leadership training and professional development for practicing and aspiring principals in Jamaica.
Descriptors: Instructional Leadership, Principals, High Schools, Foreign Countries, Qualitative Research, Case Studies, Semi Structured Interviews, Administrator Attitudes, Moral Values, Context Effect, Grounded Theory, Leadership Training, Faculty Development, School Administration, Observation
Journal of International Education and Leadership. 432 Rittiman Road, San Antonio, Texas 78209. Tel: 210-519-9870; e-mail: editor@jielusa.org; Web site: http://www.jielusa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Jamaica
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A