Faculty of Education - Theses
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ItemEducational leadership and the contribution of the technical pedagogical head across three types of schools in one Chilean region( 2018)The Chilean school administration system has different actors playing important roles in leadership and school improvement, one clear example being the technical pedagogical head, hereafter referred as TPH, a school middle manager who is in charge of planning, organising, supervising and evaluating curricular and management activities, and who is also responsible for advising the school principal. The TPH must hold a teaching degree; and given their several responsibilities at school, they should have training and experience in planning, orientation, evaluation and curriculum as well as in-depth knowledge of the school itself. This research investigated the perceptions of the role of the TPH in six selected public and private Chilean schools in the cities of Coquimbo and La Serena. Using a qualitative approach guided by hermeneutic phenomenology with the phenomenon of TPH as a central focus of exploration, the study gathered views from 71 people: 7 technical pedagogical heads, 6 principals, 4 level coordinators, 4 general inspectors, 3 school counsellors, 1 school integration program coordinator and a total of 46 members of teaching staff. This study found that the TPH contributes significantly to improving teachers’ practice and provides positive outcomes for schools when their role is focused on curriculum development and implementation. However, the role of the TPH needs to be well defined by school authorities if TPHs are to positively impact school improvement. Finally, a productive relationship between school leaders, teachers and TPHs is essential for school improvement. More studies about the TPH role are required because of their high level of influence within schools in Chile, and their importance as an example of middle-level leadership in schools.
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ItemThe role of the critical friend in leadership and school improvement( 2014)This research is a case study, which took place at a co-educational public government school in Broadmeadows, a northern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. This study investigated the role of the critical friend in supporting school leadership and school improvement. Critical friendship is a versatile form of external support for school colleagues engaged in leadership activities, and one that is subject to increasing professional and political interest. The role of the critical friend as a facilitator of change has become an important component of a range of school improvement, health promotion and professional learning initiatives in school communities. Effective critical friends draw on a repertoire of actions, depending on the context, participants and phase in the change process at any particular point in time. This concept is closely aligned with mentoring and coaching. The purpose of the study was to explore the notion of the critical friend and investigate the role through a case study, which questioned, the role and impact of the critical friend in supporting school improvement. This case study used qualitative methods. Data were collected using multi-perspective interviews with thirteen participants within a school setting who have been involved with a critical friend. This study revealed that schools in the process of improvement can benefit from a blend of internal and external support to become successful. A critical friend contributes an objective perspective which is necessary for a balanced approach in undertaking school change and transformation. A number of aspects of the role of the critical friend were found to be important for school improvement. First, genuine dedication and a high level of commitment helped to build leadership capacity. Second, a critical friend was considered by respondents as someone much more relevant to school improvement than a normal coach, developing a high level of confidence in their knowledge and support. Finally, the relationship between school leaders and critical friends is closer than one which has an external agent working at the school.