Leading Differentiated Learning for the Gifted

Abstract

This study examined similarities and differences in the perceptions of principals and teachers about the use of differentiated strategies for gifted learners and studied principals’ perceptions about schoolwide differentiation. Comparisons of these perceptions have been undocumented to date. Participants included 867 teachers and 120 principals from government schools in Sydney, Australia. A mixed methods approach was used, including online questionnaires and case studies of principals. Results revealed significant differences between the perceptions of principals and teachers about differentiated practices. The case studies demonstrate that exemplary principals continually enhance their understanding of differentiated learning and build their teachers’ collective capacity for educating gifted learners. The findings indicate the need for stronger pedagogical congruence between principals and teachers in educating the gifted, ongoing professional education of principals and teachers in gifted education, and effective leadership actions for schoolwide differentiated learning.

Keywords:

• differentiated learning
• differentiation
• leadership actions
• perceptions of principals
• perceptions of teachers
• schoolwide differentiation

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Manoj Chandra Handa

Dr. Manoj Chandra Handa is Principal Education Officer–Learning, Teaching and Leading Coordinator in the School Services Directorate, New South Wales Department of Education, Australia. He has formerly served as CEO–School Development Officer in the Department. In 2012, he was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People” in Sydney by “The Sydney Magazine” published in The Sydney Morning Herald. In 2016, he was recognized for “Excellence in Higher Degree Research” by the Faculty of Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney. He was selected for the “Smart Teachers’ Research Award 2016” by The Teachers’ Guild of New South Wales for his doctoral research. E-mail: [email protected]