Distributed Leadership and Instructional Reform at an Urban Middle School

• In Event: 29.025 - Perceptions of Distributed Leadership and Educational Outcomes

Abstract

This qualitative case study examined the how the distribution of leadership influenced the implementation of an instructional reform in a low-performing urban middle school. The leadership for the instructional reform was widely distributed among district and school leaders, and was stretched across formal and informal teacher leaders. School personnel were highly invested in the instructional model and implementation was high. The broad distribution of leadership across many formal and informal leaders contributed to the school beginning to turnaround from lackluster academic performance and mediocre instruction to a culture where implementation of the instructional reform was expected, and where teacher collaboration and accountability were becoming the norm.

Authors

• Jean A. Patterson, Wichita State University

• Hala Al-Sabatin, Wichita State University

• Amber Anderson

• Martyna Klepacka, Wichita State University

• John Lawrence, Wichita State University

• Brad Miner, Wichita State University