How Can Principals Lead in the School Improvement Planning Process? Reducing Biases in Shared Decision Making. Issue 2 (4th March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: DeMatthews, David E.; Wang, YinYing
• Is Part Of: Clearing house. Volume 96:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2023-03-04
• Subjects: Principals -- school improvement plans -- decision making -- educational leadership -- accountability -- administrators -- leadership -- policy -- school improvement -- reform; Education -- Periodicals; Junior high schools -- Periodicals; Education, Secondary -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 373.05
• DOI: 10.1080/00098655.2022.2163971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-8655

Abstract

Abstract: School improvement plans are strategic documents most schools complete on an annual basis. Research on school improvement planning highlights that high-quality plans contribute to student achievement gains, but many plans are of poor quality. Principals serve in a critical role within the school improvement process. In this article, we review research on decision-making and biases to provide a set of recommendations to improve the school improvement planning process. Specifically, we highlight how a set of biases can contribute to flawed planning that reduces the likelihood that the school improvement plan will be comprehensive, strategic, and useful. We also include a set of definitions and "planning guardrails" principals can use when developing a school improvement team and facilitating the school improvement planning process.