Goal Pursuit Practices in High Schools: Hitting the Target?

Autor/inn/en	Bendikson, Linda; Broadwith, Mark; Zhu, Tong; Meyer, Frauke
Titel	Goal Pursuit Practices in High Schools: Hitting the Target?
Quelle	In: Journal of Educational Administration, 58 (2020) 6, S.713-728 (16 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0957-8234
DOI	10.1108/JEA-01-2020-0020
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Goal Orientation; Educational Objectives; Instructional Leadership; Teacher Leadership; Educational Practices; Educational Improvement; Middle Management; Educational Planning; Barriers; High Schools; New Zealand + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Zielorientierung; Zielvorstellung; Educational objective; Bildungsziel; Erziehungsziel; Instruction; Leadership; Bildung; Erziehung; Führung; Lehrerfunktionsstelle; Bildungspraxis; Teaching improvement; Unterrichtsentwicklung; Mittlere Führungskraft; Bildungsplanung; High school; Oberschule; Neuseeland
Abstract	Purpose: This article investigates goal pursuit practices in a sample of 31 New Zealand high schools. It examines goal knowledge of middle and senior leaders, the alignment of this knowledge and factors related to improvement. Design/methodology/approach: Goals from schools' annual improvement plans were identified and counted at the beginning of the academic year. Senior and middle leaders were asked to recall their school's academic goals from memory. Responses were scored against the goals in the schools' plans to produce an accuracy score for each leader and for each middle and senior leadership team (SLT). At the end of the academic year, leaders recounted their goals and rated and commented on their SLT's goal focus. Data analysis examined goal knowledge, alignment of middle and senior leaders' goal knowledge and SLT's goal focus. Comments were analyzed thematically in regard to the number and clarity of the goals and how goals were communicated, enacted and monitored. Findings: Our findings show a lack of goal clarity, persistence across the year and effective strategy hampered the majority of schools in their goal pursuit. Only a few schools had a strong and aligned goal focus. Factors influencing perceived improvement included: fewer and greater clarity of goals, engagement of middle leaders in setting goals, establishing sound supporting structures and regular monitoring of progress. Originality/value: While annual improvement plans outlining multiple goals are often compulsory for schools, little is known about their impact on practice. This research clarifies the state of goal pursuit in a sample of high schools. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emeraldinsight.com
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01