‘Someone had to have faith in them as professionals’: an evaluation of an action research project to develop educational leadership across the early years

Abstract

This article reports on an evaluation of three action research projects developed by a group of teachers working across the early years in three independent schools. The article examines the role of action research in developing educational leadership capabilities. Drawing on the educational leadership literature, concepts and ideas of action and activism, influence and change, and capacity to develop a vision are used to describe and analyse the data from qualitative pre-project and post-project individual interviews. The article argues that the empirical findings suggest action research was a powerful tool in developing educational leadership capabilities. This article concludes by suggesting that further research is needed to better understand how action research can be utilised to develop sustainable forms of educational leadership in the early years.

Keywords:

• Early years
• educational leadership
• action research
• teacher professional development

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges ISV’s funding of this research study.

Notes

1. In Australia the term ‘early years’ is used to define the period from birth to eight years of age.

2. In Australia there are government schools, independent schools and Catholic schools. Independent schools are governed by an elected board. They are fee-paying schools and range from elite grammar schools through to smaller independent schools with particular philosophies guiding their day-to-day running. Generally, they educate children from three through to 18 years of age.

3. ISV is a key governing body representing independent schools across Victoria. Their key role is advocating for their member schools by engaging with government. Another key role is providing for the professional development needs of teachers working in their member schools.

4. ELCs in independent schools provide education for children from three to five years of age.

5. Prep is the first year of school for all children in the Australian state of Victoria. Children need to turn five years of age by 30 April of the year they start school.