In Portugal, the legal framework creates conditions for increased participation of the educational community in promoting inclusive education. Measures to support student learning and inclusion highlight the role of middle-tier structures in promoting this participation. In line with this, international organisations also emphasise the same…

Over the last few decades, there has been a significant increase in the number of student service personnel, yet demand has outstripped this growth leading to turnover and low employee satisfaction. Scholars and practitioners alike have called for increased levels of empowerment of these workers, but the outcomes of this approach need further…

The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological research study was to explore the obstacles Latinas overcame to advance into midlevel leadership at their respective higher education institutions. A literature review indicated that Latinas and Latinos are among the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States. Yet, they need to be more…

Today, more than ever, there is a need to uncover the patterns of thinking that shape the rationality of the leader cohort to aid them in their role-making of the challenging niche truly. This Husserlian phenomenological inquiry purported to explore the individual and collective lived experiences of nine (9) purposively selected Filipino academic…

The purpose of the study is to examine the ethical dilemmas among mid-level school leaders in the social-ecological context through role-play simulations. We examined simulations involving role-played ethical scenarios and group debriefings among 30 mid-level school leaders from different Israeli high schools and districts during the MA course in…

Little is known about primary school mathematics middle leaders' aspirations for mathematics learning. We sought to give mathematics middle leaders a voice to articulate their desires for mathematics learning based on what was most salient to them. Statements collected from 149 primary school mathematics middle leaders through an online survey…

The capacity of midlevel leaders to develop influential relationships in order to effectively lead up, down, and to the side is dependent upon internalizing and continuously nurturing both a leader and a follower identity.

Middle-management leaders are in a crucible. In addition to managing their extensive regular duties and leading groups toward common goals, they must navigate conflicting expectations and competing demands from their superiors and subordinates. The challenges in middle-management leadership are exacerbated in fast-paced, high stakes, large-scale…

Little is known about how middle leaders address concerns with teaching performance. This study used a problem-based methodology and critical incident interviewing to elicit eight middle leaders' theories-in-use for 14 cases of concern. Our systematic analysis examined the beliefs constraining their actions, their actions as well as the resulting…

This paper presents an examination of identity "in" and "as" practice as it relates to a group of educational practitioners known as middle leaders. Drawing on the theory of practice architectures as a site-ontological approach for conceptualising educational leading, the paper considers an individual's identity as being…

Schools are a complex system made up of not only relationships, infrastructures, and challenges, but also constraints. It seems essential that schools, as complex organizations, work in synergy, according to a shared vision with all the actors involved in the educational process. School management is now part of a process that is increasingly…

This practitioner reflection examines the challenges inherent in middle leadership and explores how to overcome them. It posits that schools and middle leaders benefit from clearly defining roles and reporting lines and communicating effectively. The investment by schools in ensuring that middle leaders have sufficient time to perform their roles…

A cumulative reading of this volume indicates the need to rethink what it means to be in the organizational middle. In this final chapter, we draw from the lived experiences, research, and scholarly perspectives described throughout the volume to posit a reconceptualization of midlevel leadership and considerations for its future.

The study draws on mixed methods research with further education middle managers across England in order to explore whether there are gendered differences in management. There remain debates about whether there are gender differences in management or leadership. The study adds to this debate with results that reveal that women and men are…

The purpose of this chapter is to explore the contemporary leadership issues and opportunities among those who lead administrative affairs functions from the middle of the organization. Included is a summary of the general challenges of administrative leadership, followed by specific considerations of the paradoxical environment at community…