Leithwood et al (2010) propose that there are 4 distinct paths, each populated with different sets of variables, along which leaders' influence can flow to affect student learning and that a key role for leaders is to decide which of these variables is most promising in terms of the influence it can have, how they can improve the status of this variable and how they can align their leadership influences across all four paths.
Those paths are rational (knowledge and skills of teachers about curriculum, teaching and learning); emotional (how teachers feel about their job; their ability to make a difference; their and their colleagues commitment levels); organisational (structures, policies, culture surrounding learning); and family (the involvement of family members in student learning and the school).
Only with careful selection and alignment of those variables that are most improtant to the school's development will a leader truly be able to effect sustainable change.
Reference: Leithwood, K., Anderson, S., Mascall, B., Strauss, T. (2010).School Leaders’ Influences on Student Learning: The Four Paths. In Bush, T., Bell, L. and Middlewood, D. (eds) The Principles of Educational Leadership and Management (2nd Edition). Sage Publications: London
Those paths are rational (knowledge and skills of teachers about curriculum, teaching and learning); emotional (how teachers feel about their job; their ability to make a difference; their and their colleagues commitment levels); organisational (structures, policies, culture surrounding learning); and family (the involvement of family members in student learning and the school).
Only with careful selection and alignment of those variables that are most improtant to the school's development will a leader truly be able to effect sustainable change.
Reference: Leithwood, K., Anderson, S., Mascall, B., Strauss, T. (2010).School Leaders’ Influences on Student Learning: The Four Paths. In Bush, T., Bell, L. and Middlewood, D. (eds) The Principles of Educational Leadership and Management (2nd Edition). Sage Publications: London