A Reconceptualization and Redefinition of Educational Leadership

• In Event: 67.052 - Understanding School Leadership Through Organizational Theory

Abstract

Educational institutions have a crucial role in societies – fostering democracy and respect for diversity, justice and human dignity. Leadership in those institutions, securely understood and defined, is crucial in making sure educational institutions can fulfil their role. However, current accepted understandings and definitions of educational leadership, which have a long history, are open to critique and a more robust definition is required.

In this paper, we reconceptualise and redefine educational leadership as ‘legitimate interaction in an educational institution that enhances engagement with the institutional primary task’. We analyse the concepts underpinning that definition: the institutional context of educational leadership; legitimacy and its significance in educational leadership; leadership interactions and their different forms, engagement, and the institutional primary task.

Authors

• Christopher R. James, University of Bath

• Michael Connolly, University of South Wales

• Melissa Hawkins, University of Bath