Who's in Charge Here? Sources of Leadership for Change in Eight Schools

Abstract

In this study we identified a set of change leadership functions, including sustaining a vision for change, encouraging staff, modifying standard operating procedures, and monitoring progress. This study of program change in 8 schools-4 that successfully institutionalized Elias and Clabby's Social Problem Solving (SPS) program, 3 that only institutionalized it in a token form, and 1 that institutionalized it among a subset of teachers-provided evidence that these functions do contribute to change. Data came from interviews with 8 principals, 24 teachers, 3 district informants, and SPS staff. Our results also suggested that these functions are performed redundantly by people in a variety of overlapping roles, including central office personnel, principals, teachers, and outside consultants rather by any "heroic leader." Implications for teacher leadership are discussed.