Leadership in the Educational Context - Literature review Example

Studies by Dinham (2005) and Marzano, Waters & McNulty (2005) have demonstrated the connectivity between leadership and key processes, activities, and goals of schools such as teaching and learning as well as the critical importance of leadership in driving continuous and evolving change in the global education context. Similarly, in a study conducted by Lezotte (2001), it was established that leadership plays an integral role in the realization of positive school outcomes. Conversely, some studies have established that individual factors and school structural issues are essential determinants of school performance (Koth, Bradshaw & Leaf 2008; Stewart 2007; Stewart 2008).

Other studies have found that besides leadership, there is a myriad of factors that mediate school performance and effectiveness (Bollen et al 2012; Cheng 1996; Kirk & Jones 2004; Lezotte 1991). For instance, studies carried out by Kirk & Jones (2004) and Cordell & Waters (1993) highlight that some of these factors include; available resources, existing legislations, school relations, and culture and structural issues. Cordell & Waters (1993) particularly argues that school performance can be dependent on the way in which the school leadership, teachers, students, parents, support staff, policymakers, the government, and the community work together (Cordell & Waters 1993).

Although there is a myriad of factors that contribute to schools’ performance, effectiveness, or success, it is evident that there is compelling evidence in the literature that suggests that leadership plays a central role in schools. As a result, a lot of emphasis has been placed on improving leadership in order to enhance school performance and outcomes (Dinham 2005; Nettles & Herrington 2007; Wisker et al 2003).Generally, leadership is a broad and multidimensional concept that has been perceived and defined in different ways over time.

According to Northouse (2007), leadership is a continuous process that entails influencing a group of people in order to realize mutual objectives and goals.