Bolstering Legal Literacy Through Immersive Simulation to Better Prepare Principals to Lead School Reform

• In Event: 42.083 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 42.083-1 - School and District Leaders Making Policy Decisions

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of immersive simulation on principals’ legal literacy and self-efficacy. Strong legal literacy is one tool that can serve as a powerful fulcrum for school improvement (Pauken, 2005); however, scholars suggest that principals are not adequately to prepared (e.g., Bull & McCarthy, 1995, Taylor, 2010; Valadez, 2005). Scholars suggest the use of immersive simulation should be considered as a pedagogical tool in education (Johnson, Smith, Willis, Levine, & Haywood, 2011). Research participants engaged in immersive simulation with results of the study indicating that it was effective for these purposes. Findings suggest that those wishing to improve schools might do so by exposing principals to immersive simulation in school law.

Author

• Kristen A Gilbert, Augusta University