Urban School Leadership and Fit

• In Event: Leadership, Administration, and Leaders in Urban Schools

Abstract

The authors argue for a reconsideration of the way principals are selected (Fullan, 1993; Hord, Rutherford, Huling-Austin, & Hall, 1987). The conceptual framework of “fit” is used as a sociopolitical justification for why and how individuals are recruited, selected and placed in organizations (Tooms, Lugg, & Bogotch, 2010). The idea of fit, they stress, is more political than anything else (Duke & Iwanicki, 1992). They argue that there is more to the meanings of “fit” than just school system politics (Murphy, 2008). The impact of federal and state policies, the changing demographics in our nation’s cities, a school’s heritage and place in a community, and what researchers report as findings regarding personnel decisions, all combine and compete to influence policymakers and school administrators.

Authors

• Ira E. Bogotch, Florida Atlantic University

• Leo Nesmith, Florida Atlantic University

• Scott V. Smith, Florida Atlantic University

• Frank Gaines, Broward Schools