Contextual influences on school leaders in Australia: some data from a recent study of principals' ethical decision‐making1

An earlier version of this article was presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association of Research in Education, Brisbane, Australia, December 2002.

Abstract

In this article we present a discussion of micro‐contextual and macro‐contextual influences on principals' decision‐making compiled from survey and interview data gathered from an extensive study into the ethical decision‐making of school principals in Queensland during 2000. We show that there are a number of micro‐contextual influences at play and that principals utilize various consultation networks close to the school when faced with ethical issues. We contend that principals are left underprepared and often unsupported when they are confronted with decisions that are influenced by macro political, social and market‐oriented forces. We suggest that there is a need for the identification and implementation of professional development strategies that recognize this deficiency and conclude by offering some suggestions.

Notes

Corresponding author. Lucy Carter, Research Assistant, Centre for Leadership and Management in Education, Griffith University, Mt. Gravatt Campus, Australia 4111. Email: [email protected]

An earlier version of this article was presented at the Annual Conference of the Australian Association of Research in Education, Brisbane, Australia, December 2002.

The study was undertaken in partnership with the Queensland Department of Education and was funded by the Australian Research Council's grants for Strategic Partnerships in Industry Research and Training.