Researchers, Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos), and Local Services Dealing With Educational Fragilities: The Key Role of Middle Management

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: Leadership and Collaboration for School Improvement

Abstract

Prevent and tackling the risk of early school leaving for students with educational fragilities is an urgency that cannot be postponed. In a whole-school approach, the SEN Coordinator (SENCo) can play a key role as middle manager. Throughout the ricerca-formazione approach, different stakeholders worked together to identify and understand the specific role and function of the middle management of the SENCos. The results of a qualitative mixed-method research highlighted how the SENCos perform both management and leadership functions, but how it is necessary to promote an empowerment of the second ones – in the perspective of the distributed leadership – to foster opportunities for students, families, and communities.

Authors

• Claudio Girelli, University of Verona

• Alessia Bevilacqua, University of Verona