Educational Leadership Practices for Student Success Policy Making in the Government of Ontario

• In Event: Underexplored Facets of Educational Leadership: Emotion, Roles, Crisis, and Time

Abstract

Various factors shape policy development and understanding the leadership practices among staff within government is important to be able to contribute towards effective policy making. This is particularly relevant in the field of student success which focuses on providing students with the necessary academic and personal supports to be successful. Through one-on-one interviews with 13 former senior Ontario Ministry of Education staff who worked in the government between 2003 and 2018, this study uncovers perceptions of educational leadership practices that have contributed to Ontario’s Student Success Strategy. Findings suggest that practices such as collaboration, listening, reliance on evidence and research as well as patience and risk taking were central to the development and implementation of student success in Ontario.

Author

• Alisha Bhanji, University of Toronto