Principals as Innovation Brokers in AI Integration Amidst Exam Pressures in China’s Periphery

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 1:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: AI Meets Educational Leadership

Abstract

This study examines how principals in China’s underfunded regional schools act as innovation brokers to integrate AI within an exam-driven system. Conducted as a longitudinal case study at Changde No. 13 Middle School, the research analyzes leadership strategies used to motivate teachers and align AI with exam requirements. Data include interviews, meeting transcripts, and policy analysis, examined through critical incident analysis. Findings show principals use material incentives like promotion credits and symbolic framing of AI as a Gaokao advantage to promote adoption. Despite increased student engagement, no significant improvement in mock Gaokao scores was observed, highlighting tensions between innovation and assessment. The study emphasizes principals’ crucial role and suggests a hybrid AI-exam approach to balance innovation with evaluation.

Authors

• Ban Wang, HONG KONG UNIVERSITY

• Paul Campbell, The University of Hong Kong