Background/purpose: This study explores the different ways in which critical friend roles are conceptualized. The critical friend role is adaptive by nature, with significant ambiguity surrounding it, which has resulted in disjointed and fragmented literature. This study sought to provide insights into the varied and potentially boundary-spanning…

Purpose: This study examines the intricate dynamics of Taiwan's Administrative Placement (AP) initiative, a headship preparation policy requiring aspiring principals to undertake placements within Local Education Bureaus (LEBs). Methods: Drawing on Foucault's concepts of governmentality and post-panoptic surveillance, this qualitative case study…

The purpose of this study was to explore and contextualize leadership development practices of secondary school principals in Oromia National Regional State using a parallel mixed research design. Data were collected from 48 principals and four education officials via questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis. Quantitative…

This multi-case study examines the nature of supervisory practices embedded in the principal evaluation system that supervisors exercise with principals on a weekly basis. Data were collected during the 2018-2019 academic school year in the public schools of the United Arab Emirates. This study relied on several data collection methods, including…

The COVID-19 pandemic presented the world with many challenges -- some of which were unprecedented challenge for school leaders. The South African Department of Education (DoE) introduced a new threshold qualification, an Advanced Certificate in Education (School Leadership) (ACE), which was the first concrete step towards implementing a…

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is increasingly recognized as a critical topic in today's educational landscape. This is because contemporary education outcomes need to equip students for the demands of 21st-century jobs. In this context, the role and strategic actions of school principals emerge as critical…

This article offers insights into the challenges and complexities of accredited national professional learning programmes that are collaboratively designed, led, and delivered. The article is framed within theoretical perspectives concerning large-scale system change, highlighting the importance of inter-professional relationships and joint work…

Looking at opportunities for learning during moments of chaos and disequilibrium can lead to the understanding of contingency as a resource for learning. Internationally, the pandemic enabled new ways of learning-practice and has had important implications for the learning and development of teachers and of school leaders. In this paper, we aim to…

This study examines current approaches to professional development (PD) for school leaders in Brazil, Chile, and Colombia. While PD programs indicate significant progress, school leadership remains in an early stage of development. The findings highlight the need for national policy commitments to ensure long-term sustainability. The challenge is…

Providing professional development to busy principals is an ongoing challenge for many school districts. Lynn Public Schools in Massachusetts and the nonprofit Center for Artistry and Scholarship (CAS) in Boston partnered to provide professional development to 16 principals in the district. Linda F. Nathan, Taarini Goyal, and Evonne Alvarez…

Instructional leadership is a complex dimension, which requires that principals possess expertise in goal setting, leading the instructional program, and creating the conditions for a successful school environment. Effective instructional leaders manage the instructional program by planning, coordinating, and evaluating the work of teachers and…

Since 2013, most states have passed laws or implemented policies related to evidence-based reading instruction, with many doing so just in the past few years. Most of these laws and policies focus on integrating phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension into high-quality reading curriculum, teacher preparation standards,…

Drawing from her experiences as a principal and coach, Aspasia Angelou offers invaluable insights, templates, and resources for principals in Title I or priority schools. With tools for professional development, reflective practices, and collaborative team development, principals can effectively address challenges, support students at risk, and…

The purpose of this article is to present five areas for research and school leadership practice that centre African American girls. An analysis of critical race feminist research published in peer-reviewed articles yielded five themes for inclusive and affirming leadership research and practices: (1) Centring African American girls' and their…

This study examines the characteristics, challenges, and strategies of school leadership in Cambodian high schools, with a focus on leadership in resource-constrained settings. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research investigates how principals in six northwestern provinces implement leadership practices to improve educational…