Action Research Proposal

“DISTRIBUTED LEADERSHIP”

Gary StreetEd 521

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.

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.

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.

Setting of StudyScootney Springs Elementary …

650 students 75% poverty, 75% Hispanic, 40% ELL, 11% migrant

40 certified staff26 classified staff1.5 administratorsLearning improvement teamGrade chair teamIndividual grade level teams

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?

Method …Intro to action research - staff – August, 2009Intro to proposed action research on distributed

leadership – staff – September, 2009Select a stakeholder group interested in distributed

leadership – September, 2009Survey 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.

Continued…Categorize and Code Data – Identify Themes -

October, 2009Share data results with participant group, October,

2009Facilitate dialogue among focus group regarding

leadership in our school – November, 2009Literature Review – November/December, 2009Generativity of Ideas from Literature, Interviews,

Data, Truths/Theories – big T and small t. Act – Cycle of EventsDocument – Report - Document – Report

PositionalityField Work is Relational, Contextual, and

Politicized (Farhana Sultana, 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 researchI must demonstrate reflexivity – be willing to

reflect and changeI must know the political climate withinI must continue to be aware of outside

demands related to leadership.

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 MentalityStudents Will Benefit

We Will Succeed Together…..

..and LeaveNo One Behind!

Gary Street, Ed 521