Managing Complexity: Examining Strategic Implementation of Academic and Nonacademic Initiatives in K-6 Public Schools

• In Event: Empowering Leaders via Policy and Leadership Development for Diverse Educational Settings

Abstract

This study explores strategic implementation in K-12 public schools, focusing on how principals navigate the integration of academic and non-academic initiatives. The research reveals that principals with extensive general education teaching experience or backgrounds in therapy, social work, or special education effectively manage multiple frameworks. Conversely, those with less teaching experience or from specialist roles struggle more. Principals in high-poverty, BIPOC-populated schools feel underprepared to implement complex frameworks, hindering their ability to create inclusive environments. The study underscores the importance of comprehensive principal preparation programs that emphasize strategic implementation and mentorship. It advocates for collaborative, interdisciplinary training to equip principals with the necessary skills to lead diverse educational settings successfully.

Author

• Catherine E. Olver, Gonzaga University