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Effective Educational Leadership Edited by N. Bennett, M. Crawford and M. Cartwright 2003 The Open University in association with Paul Chapman Publishing Trowbridge, UK 304 pp. ISBN 0761940561 US$26 (paperback)
Review DOI 10.1108/09578230510615260
This book is part of a series related to a master's course at the Open University in the UK. As such, its target audience is graduate students and leadership practitioners in educational and related institutions. It does not set out to provide hard-edged analysis of leadership theories or critiques of research projects. However, its unique contribution is the exploration of links between leadership discourses and the themes that have emerged from the school effectiveness movements since the 1980s.
In their Introduction the editors argue that concepts of leadership are cultural constructs and therefore subject to contestation between players. They then outline three key themes of the collection; definitions of leadership, preparation of leaders and how to adjudicate between good and bad or effective and ineffective leadership practice. The book is structured into five sections; the current context of educational leadership, understandings of the concept, preparation programs, leadership practice and dilemmas confronting leaders today. Each chapter contributes to the theme of leadership and educational effectiveness within this framework.
In exploring contemporary contexts for educational leadership both...