This paper explores the perspectives of six contextually different primary and secondary school principals regarding the complexities, contradictions and benefits of ethical leadership practices. Underpinned by the interpretive research paradigm and chaos theory, a qualitative case study design was adopted to guide data generation. We used…

Purpose: This study examines how women principals authored reforms in their schools and the resources and multifaceted identities they drew upon to navigate change. Design/methodology/approach: Using life history methods, this paper examines data from 20 semi-structured interviews conducted during 2022-2023 with 10 women public school principals…

The present study examined administrators' views on the working status, contributions to the education process, performance status, and employment processes of the school auxiliary staff. The research was conducted in a holistic multiple-case study design, one of the qualitative research methods. The study group consisted of 22 school…

Purpose: This study replicates and extends prior research on principal hiring preferences and conceptualizations of teacher "fit." We investigate the specific fit dimensions principals value, the contextual factors informing their fit conceptualizations, and the implications of fit-based hiring for schools and candidates. By shedding…

Accountability in education takes many forms. One of the most prominent in the Welsh context is school inspection, which is considered an important measure of school performance and a way of holding schools accountable for the public money they receive. However, inspections are not accepted as adding value to the system without exception, and much…

Empirical research suggests that school leaders' instructional leadership can make a difference in improving student achievement. We explored this issue in a mixed-method study that sought to verify whether or not, from participants' perspectives, school principals enact this type of leadership and whether or not they feel that it affects student…

The purpose of this study was to understand K-12 school department chairs' lived experiences with burnout, a condition caused by chronic workplace stress that manifests as exhaustion, cynicism and mental distancing from one's work, and a sense of ineffectiveness (World Health Organization, 2019). Semi-structured interviews conducted over Zoom with…

This study developed a grounded theory model describing how principals manage feedback on their leadership. Our research was conducted through interviews with 12 principals and led to the identification of three distinct phases. In Phase I, 'Feedback Collection', principals choose between formal and informal feedback methods, decide the scope of…

This qualitative study focused on the perceived effectiveness of a formal mentoring program in developing instructional leadership skills for K-12 novice principals with 5 or fewer years of experience. The 13 participants for this study were derived from 200 public schools in the Southwest Tennessee area. The participants consented to participate…

Ten school-based leaders engaged in an experimental professional learning community to understand when, during their daily practice, they placed learning (as an action) at the forefront of their leadership. This article presents the findings from the first phase (discovery) of a four-phase, two-year appreciative inquiry study. At their schools,…

This qualitative study explores school leaders' (principals and assistant principals) perspectives on crisis leadership roles and their competencies in responding to and managing a crisis. The role of school leaders has become increasingly disrupted by unexpected incidents that are diverse and complex in nature. As such, their knowledge of crisis…

The purpose of this study was to explore and analyze how district superintendents foster and build relationships with school principals through their interactions to support and nurture strong leadership. From a transformational lens, I explored how the strength of such connectedness builds bridges to leadership sustainability. Reflections of…

Alternative certification programs have been created to fill vacant educator positions in the widening educator shortage. The purpose of this qualitative generic study was to understand alternative leadership preparation programs (ALPPs) by interviewing school leaders that received their school leadership certification at an ALPP. The gap is based…

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to investigate the relationship between principal and parent perceptions of social media use by schools to communicate with the community. The researcher collected quantitative survey data from school principals and parents around the globe using Likert scales along with qualitative data of open-ended…

Leaders of K-12 schools have an endless list of job demands. These tasks range from the quantifiable administrative responsibilities such as budgets and finances, disciplinary matters, conducting evaluations and mitigating government mandates, to the more complex tasks of student success, development of teachers/staff, supporting stakeholders with…