2. According to Educational Researcher, David Mayrowetz (2008), Distributed Leadership…. …….is viewed as an activity stretched over multiple people; …….is viewed as a democracy, shared among all; …….is viewed as a means of capacity building among staff.
3. Purposes of Study… To co-engage in the development of distributed leadership; To examine the process of instituting distributed leadership; To examine the effects of distributed leadership; To examine how leadership is enacted in schools.
4. Issues…. The activity of distributed leadership is stretched over only a few people in our organization; Leadership is not shared among staff; There are tacit agreements and a soldiering mentality among some staff; Staff are not clear on “what” distributed leadership is, and its benefits in a school.
5. Setting of Study Scootney Springs Elementary … 650 students 75% poverty, 75% Hispanic, 40% ELL, 11% migrant 40 certified staff 26 classified staff 1.5 administrators Learning improvement team Grade chair team Individual grade level teams
6. Questions to Guide Lit Review…. How is distributed leadership conceptualized in schools? What are the leadership functions performed in schools, and by whom? What are the effects of distributed leadership in schools?
7. Method … Intro to action research - staff – August, 2009 Intro to proposed action research on distributed leadership – staff – September, 2009 Select a stakeholder group interested in distributed leadership – September, 2009 Survey and/or interview participants regarding leadership, leadership functions and distributed leadership at Scootney – September, 2009 Identify leadership activities performed at Scootney. Identify who performs the above activities and how often.. number of activities in a day, week, month, year. Identify organizational conditions that support or impede the distribution of leadership.
8. Continued… Categorize and Code Data – Identify Themes - October, 2009 Share data results with participant group, October, 2009 Facilitate dialogue among focus group regarding leadership in our school – November, 2009 Literature Review – November/December, 2009 Generativity of Ideas from Literature, Interviews, Data, Truths/Theories – big T and small t. Act – Cycle of Events Document – Report - Document – Report
9. Positionality Field Work is Relational, Contextual, and Politicized (FarhanaSultana, 2009) I must be clear on what constitutes the “field” versus “my school” I am a member of the research group – not the leader of research I must demonstrate reflexivity – be willing to reflect and change I must know the political climate within I must continue to be aware of outside demands related to leadership.
10. Anticipated Outcomes… A Core of Teachers that Will Step Up and Lead When Opportunities Arise – or When They Have the Expertise. Positive Climate Change – Trust, Efficacy, Relationships, Leadership Effective Leadership Exerted …PLC, SIT, District and School Initiatives. Reduction in Soldiering Mentality Students Will Benefit
