LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Leadership and Collaboration in Middle Schools

Abstract

As demands for school reforms have grown in Missouri's School District in recent years, it has been noticed that increased focus being given to quality issues. As a result concerned authorities in Missouri's Education Department, due to two main policy initiatives - the introduction of the National Minimum curriculum and school development planning - are encouraging a decentralised form of governance that emphasises the empowerment of teachers in educational decision-making. The road towards increased collaboration amongst teachers and between schools; in which they work, has been a long, arduous and tortuous journey, yet it can also be a vehicle for positive change and development. This paper explores a theoretical rationale for a teacher-led approach to school improvement. It presents the main findings of a strategic analysis undertaken to understand the current situation facing the Missouri School District. This research study helps to highlight the importance and positive effects behind capacity building and shared leadership. It is argued that this case study can serve as an example to establish higher education and school partnerships and the introduction of a school-based accreditation scheme.

The first chapter introduces the topic; followed by the literature review. The third chapter outlines the methodology whereas the findings and analysis of results are covered in chapter four. The paper concludes with the fifth chapter.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Chapter 1: Introduction1

Background of the Study1

Problem Statement2

Purpose of the Study2

Research Question3

Significance of the Study3

Rationale for the Study4

Limitations of the Study5

Assumptions of the Study5

Definition of Terms6

Chapter 2: Literature Review7

The Middle School Concept7

Organizational problems of education11

Perspectives on leadership14

Five leadership theories16

Situational leadership theory18

SLT in middle schools20

Charismatic approaches to leadership22

Charismatic leadership in middle schools23

Transformational leadership25

Transformational leadership in middle schools27

Path-goal theory29

Path-goal theory in middle schools31

LMX theory33

Viable Middle School Models41

Not all are Successful at Implementing Middle Schools43

Leadership is Critical to Making Middle Schools Work44

Confounding Factors Affecting Middle School Success47

Essential Functions of Instructional Leadership50

The evolving role of the principal52

Leadership for collaboration54

DuFour's Model56

Shared Vision56

Team Learning58

Leadership Skills in Successful and Unsuccessful School Leaders58

Collaborative Structures and Processes60

School Culture and School Improvement65

Dimensions of Collaboration65

Leadership, Culture and a Promising Conception66

Teacher Observations68

From Supervision to Capacity Building68

Collaboration in Design and Delivery of School and Community-based Services69

Collaborative Partnerships70

A Better Use of Time73

Effective Teacher Development through Leadership and Collaboration74

Chapter 3: Methodology76

Mixed Method Research76

Design/method79

Research Question80

Identification of capacity-building elements82

Identification of key indicators82

Selection of schools83

Participants84

Data Collection Procedures and Tools85

Interviews85

Chapter 4: Discussion and Data Analysis86

Principal behaviors that support collaboration87

Modelling - setting the tone88

Dynamic vision for school development91

Sustained leadership commitment and trust91

Strategic interaction with external resources92

Investment in collective professional capacity development92

Leadership differentiation and distribution93

Progressive alignment and synergistic interaction of practices and structures affecting teaching and learning93

Constant reflection on progress in school development and student learning94

Evolutionary restructuring of support for improvement94

Communication skills95

Valuing people96

Advocacy97

Emotional Competencies98

Understanding others98

Self-awareness99

Managing emotions100

Relationships101

Support and development for leaders102

Teachers' Beliefs103

Chapter 5: Conclusion115

Recommendations of the Study117

Future Directions119

Implications for Practice120

Summary122

References124

Bibliography159

Appendix A: Questionnaire163

Chapter 1: Introduction

Collaboration among teachers is a critical concept in educational reform, especially with regard to students with disabilities and other diverse learners. According to the literature pertaining to collaboration among special and ...