Effective leadership in school administration
Date
1995
Authors
Seitz, Paolina
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Education
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Education, 1995
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to construct a tangible description of effective
leadership in school administration. Current restructuring initiatives by the
Alberta Department of Education seem to require educational leaders with
knowledge, skills and attitudes that are different from those of the 70s and 80s.
This study attempted to examine the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for
effective leadership in today's schools.
U sing a case study of one elementary school principal, I attempted to clarify
this complex phenomenon of effective leadership. This case study was
conducted using ethnographic methods to gather the relevant information.
The tools I used were: participant observation and interviewing. The study
was expanded to include several perspectives of what it means to be an
effective leader in school administration. The superintendent and a trustee,
staff members, students and parents of the elementary school were also
participants and their perspectives as well as my own were added to the study.
The findings of this study indicated seven main characteristics of effective
leadership as defined by the participants. They were:
1) shared vision
2) open communication
3) positive interpersonal skills
4) growth-oriented
5) promotes leadership in others
6) shared decision-making
7) servant leader
8) not being afraid to make mistakes
9) having a sense of humor.
The research literature was revisited and with the exception of the last two
characteristics, the study's findings were found to be congruent with the
research literature.
Description
v, 78 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm.
Keywords
Leadership -- Case studies , School principals -- Alberta -- Case studies