"How Can He Be So Cruel?" Examining Issues of Trust in School Improvement Efforts. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wettlaufer, Jacqueline R. A.; Sider, Steve R.
• Is Part Of: Journal of cases in educational leadership. Volume 22:Number 2(2019:Jun.)
• Page Start: 3
• Page End: 13
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: trust -- transformational leadership -- school improvement -- assessment -- self-efficacy -- school effectiveness -- trust (psychology); Educational leadership -- Periodicals; Educational leadership -- Research -- Periodicals; 371.2011
• DOI: 10.1177/1555458919826220
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1555-4589

Abstract

In this case, a high school vice-principal encounters tension and anger when she rewrites a staff member's report card comments without his knowledge. The case narrative examines the conflict that arises when, under time constraints and pressures to produce student reports, the vice-principal acts on a decision she believes is ethically correct only to find that she incurs a significant setback with staffing relationships largely due to wavering of trust. The analysis examines how transformational leadership builds self-efficacy in all staff founded on trusting relationships. Professional reflection provides a conduit through which educational leaders can assess their own practice and implement the changes needed to sustain school improvement planning.