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Dr. Invernizzi served as a: Teacher, Coach, Principal, School Superintendent, College Faculty Member Sponsored Links
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APA Style: Invernizzi, J. (2007). "Leaders and Leadership in the Schools." Retrieved May 8, 2012, from EducationDx, USA. Web site:
http://www.educationdx.com/leaders-and-educational-leadership.html.
http://www.educationdx.com/leaders-and-educational-leadership.html.
Leaders and Educational Leadership
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Educational "Business" Leadership?
Business terms and corporate management theories appeared to fit into educational jargon--at the time. Sergiovanni (1996) argues that theories of management used in corporations do not belong in schools; (. . .) "schools should not function as businesses. And school leaders should not function as owners of businesses" (p. 84). If you are not functioning as a business, why use business terminology? Sometimes a specialized vocabulary is necessary to describe matters intrinsic to each area, and borrowing a word does not work--it serves to confuse.
If the presenter is using some of these borrowed words, clarification of the meaning is imperative. A general definition of a leader describes a person who leads or guides. The exact meaning is open to interpretation depending upon the context. This person may not have formal or legal authority over others, but serves to model or guide others, like the lead teacher. A student leader guides or leads the other students in a particular area.
Some definitions include the word inspires when referring to a leader, describing someone with certain leadership attributes. Of course, leaders can show leadership--perhaps becoming a dispenser of leadership attributes--encouraging interaction among group members. This model suggests that a manager does one thing, while a leader does another. Some people still connect the word leader with the power of authority instead of associating a leader with vision and working with others. Despite authors trying to apply corporate management terms in education, these embedded ideas in some are unlikely to change.
If the presenter is using some of these borrowed words, clarification of the meaning is imperative. A general definition of a leader describes a person who leads or guides. The exact meaning is open to interpretation depending upon the context. This person may not have formal or legal authority over others, but serves to model or guide others, like the lead teacher. A student leader guides or leads the other students in a particular area.
Some definitions include the word inspires when referring to a leader, describing someone with certain leadership attributes. Of course, leaders can show leadership--perhaps becoming a dispenser of leadership attributes--encouraging interaction among group members. This model suggests that a manager does one thing, while a leader does another. Some people still connect the word leader with the power of authority instead of associating a leader with vision and working with others. Despite authors trying to apply corporate management terms in education, these embedded ideas in some are unlikely to change.
Business terms and corporate management theories appeared to fit into educational jargon...
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Educational researchers using business terminology to describe leadership in education is another component of the obscurity of these terms. There appears to be a bifurcation, not only between education and the business world, but also within the field of education when dealing with the topic of leadership. In a literature review, one could find researchers describing leaders, managers, leadership and leadership styles using the terms inconsistently. These terms apparently have different meanings to different writers, thus adding to the confusion. Sometimes observers use a combination of corporate management and educational terms (e.g., "That principal is more like a building manager, than an instructional leader.")
Educational researchers using business terminology to describe leadership in education is another component of the obscurity of these terms. There appears to be a bifurcation, not only between education and the business world, but also within the field of education when dealing with the topic of leadership. In a literature review, one could find researchers describing leaders, managers, leadership and leadership styles using the terms inconsistently. These terms apparently have different meanings to different writers, thus adding to the confusion. Sometimes observers use a combination of corporate management and educational terms (e.g., "That principal is more like a building manager, than an instructional leader.")