National Testing: Gains and Strains in School Leaders' Enactment of Policy Demands

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: Division L Section 5 Poster Session

Abstract

Many studies have emphasized the key role school leaders play when policy intentions are to be successfully implemented in schools. However, little attention has been paid on how school leaders actually enact policy in practice. This study examines how school leaders engage with policy initiatives related to national test results. The data is based on twelve individual interviews with school leaders in four lower secondary schools. The main findings suggest that the tests give little feedback as tool for enhancing individual student learning and school quality. However, school leaders direct main attention on the internal and professional accountability aspect related to the quality of individual students learning and closing the gap between high and low achieving students.

Authors

• Ann Elisabeth Gunnulfsen, University of Oslo

• Jorunn Moller, University of Oslo