LibGuides: M Ed on Educational Leadership and School Improvement (ELSI): ELSI1:Leadership theory, research and practices for effective school improvement in the UAE

Books

Educational Leadership by Maggie Preedy (Editor); Nigel D. Bennett (Editor); Christine Wise (Editor)
ISBN: 9781446201633

Publication Date: 2011-11-09

Drawing together current thinking and research by leading writers in the field, this Reader will help you to understand and critically analyse key strategic aspects of educational leadership, including: - leadership perspectives and values - external and internal contexts - autonomy and accountability - partnership and collaboration - leading strategy and change. The book explores major challenges for educational leaders in managing the increasingly permeable boundary between educational organisations and their external contexts and reconciling environmental expectations and internal priorities. The Reader will encourage you to positively problematize the field and reflect on current debates and issues. This book will be an essential resource for providers and students of postgraduate level courses in educational leadership and management, as well as those involved in undertaking professional development programmes. It will also serve the reflective practitioner as personal reference when occupying or aspiring towards leadership roles in schools, colleges and other educational organisations. Dr Maggie Preedy, Professor Nigel Bennett and Dr Christine Wise have taught, researched and published widely in the field of educational leadership and management. Maggie Preedy and Christine Wise are Senior Lecturers in the Faculty of Education and Language Studies at The Open University, UK. Nigel Bennett is Emeritus Professor of Leadership and Management in Education at The Open University.
Effective Leadership for School Improvement by Alma Harris; Christopher Day; David Hopkins; Mark Hadfield; Andy Hargreaves; Christopher Chapman
ISBN: 0415300460

Publication Date: 2002-11-07

In a complex and multi-layered world, the conventional idea of great leadership being the result of the efforts of a single individual is rapidly becoming redundant. This book takes up the challenge of finding an alternative method of leadership in educational contexts, and looks at how this can help achieve sustained improvement in schools. The authors acknowledge that there are no simple solutions to school improvement. They argue that the effective leaders of the future will be those who are able to share responsibility, build positive relationships and offer stakeholders - teachers, parents and students - an opportunity to work together to improve their schools. The book is based around four key areas of concern: the changing context of leadership, leadership and school improvement, building leadership capacity, and future direction and implications. In each section, the authors discuss current theories and issues, and put forward alternative ideas and perspectives. This important book will make valuable reading for headteachers, principles, deputies and other senior teachers, particularly those undertaking leadership qualifications and training. It will also be of interest to postgraduate students and school governors.
Improving School Effectiveness by John E. C. MacBeath (Editor); Peter Mortimore (Editor)
ISBN: 0335206875

Publication Date: 2001-04-01

* What have we learned after three decades of research into school effectiveness? * What are the messages for policy-makers, for schools, for classroom teachers, for parents and their children? * What can we say with confidence about how schools improve? * What do we want from our schools in the future and how can we achieve it? This book sets out to answer these questions, reviewing findings from seminal international work and from a major study conducted recently in Scotland, the Improving School Effectiveness Project. It builds up a fascinating picture of what effectiveness is, how it can be measured, and what it means for teachers, parents and pupils. It provides key quantitative data that shows just how schools can and do make a difference (but that their effects tend to be more powerful at different stages in a child's school career, and with differing effects for girls and boys, and for different school subjects). From in-depth work with twenty-four 'case study' schools we are also given much rich qualitative evidence about, for instance, the links between attitudes and attainment within a school, about the ethos of a school and its capacity for change, about the significance of a school development plan in bringing about changes, and about the role and impact of 'critical friends' in pursuing improvement in schools. Improving School Effectiveness is an important book for everyone who is interested in valuing the effectiveness of and securing improvement in schools: for teachers, heads, inspectors, policy-makers, and students and scholars of school effectiveness and improvement.
Islamic-Based Educational Leadership, Administration and Management by Khalid Arar (Editor); Rania Sawalhi (Editor); Amaarah DeCuir (Editor); Tasneem Amatullah (Editor)
ISBN: 9781003360070

Publication Date: 2023-02-10

Offering a vital, critical contribution to discussions on current perspectives, practices, and assumptions on Islamic Education, this book explores the topic through a wide range of diverse perspectives and experiences. This volume challenges current assumptions around what is known as Islamic education, and examines issues around educational leadership based on Islamic principles to confront xenophobia and Islamophobia in educational systems, policies and practices. Arguing for a new term to enter the discourse - 'Islamic-based' educational leadership - chapters approach the issue through critical reflexivity and diverse perspectives, addressing issues such as the higher education of immigrant students in the globe and the rising tensions in Muslim and non-Muslim populations. Exploring topics ranging from the leverage of leadership to religious education, this text brings together a wide range of case studies, experiences, and examinations to shed light to the different approaches of Islamic-based educational leadership, administration, and management. This book will support researchers, doctoral students, and scholars involved with multicultural education, school leadership and management studies, and education policy and politics more widely to explore new theories and practices that pave the way for future educational systems to meet faith-based demand in the school choice era.
Leadership: Theory and practice by Peter G. Northouse
ISBN: 9781506362311

Publication Date: 2018-03-16

In this fully updated Eight Edition of Leadership: Theory and Practice, a new chapter on Followership examines the central role followers play in the leadership process and unpacks the characteristics of both effective and ineffective followers. The new edition also includes a new Ethical Leadership Style Questionnaire and new coverage on the dark side of leadership and destructive leadership. Adopted at more than 1600 institutions in 89 countries and translated into 13 different languages, this market-leading text successfully combines an academically robust account of the major theories and models of leadership with an accessible style and special emphasis on how leadership theory can inform leadership practice. Peter G. Northouse uses a consistent structure for each chapter, allowing students to easily compare and contrast the various theories. Case studies and questionnaires provide students with practical examples and opportunities to deepen their personal understanding of their own leadership.
Schools that learn (Updated and revised): A fifth discipline field book for educators, parents, and everyone who cares about education by Senge, P. M., Cambron-McCabe, N., Lucas, T., Smith, B., & Dutton,
ISBN: 9780385521864

Publication Date: 2012

A new edition of the groundbreaking book that brings organizational learning and systems thinking into classrooms and schools, showing how to keep our nation’s educational system competitive in today’s world. Drawing on observations and advice from more than 70 writers and experts on schools and education, this book features:

-Methods for implementing organizational learning and explanations of why they work
-Compelling stories and anecdotes from the “field” - classrooms, schools, and communities
-Charts, tables and diagrams to illustrate systems thinking and other practices
-Guiding principles for how to apply innovative practices in all types of school systems
-Individual exercises useful for both teachers and students
-Team exercises to foster communication within the classroom, school, or community group
-New essays on topics like educating for sustainability, systems thinking in the classroom, and “the great game of high school.”
-New recommendations for related books, articles, videotapes and web sites
-And more
Social Conflicts and Third Parties by Jacob Bercovitch
ISBN: 9780367287504

Publication Date: 2019-01-07

"The pressing need to find new ways to settle social disputes and render them less destructive has led to a concern with the role that outsiders-or third parties-can play in the conflict resolution process. This book contributes to an increased understanding of the nature and activities of third parties in a wide range of conflict situations.Dr. Bercovitch first describes and interprets the major elements of the third-party intervention process, then provides an empirical examination of its structure and characteristics in settings as diverse as family struggles, labor-management problems, and international disputes. Throughout, he illustrates the dynamics of the process from the vantage point of the third parties themselves. Finally he points out the conditions most likely to strengthen this type of conflict management and discusses the means for determining the appropriate forms of intervention at different junctures of a dispute."
What Makes a Balanced Leader? by Noha El-Bassiouny (Editor); Ahmed Amin (Editor); Jonathan A. J. Wilson (Editor)
ISBN: 9783110743197

Publication Date: 2023-01-30

Despite continuous public interest in leadership studies as well as the abundance of extant literature, the world continues to face leadership predicaments. Given the global crises mankind has been recently exposed to, which include the financial crisis of 2008 as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, further exploration of leadership concepts seems warranted. This edited book aims at introducing the concept of Balanced Leadership from an Islamic perspective. Drawing on both leadership and Islamic studies, the book synchronizes between secular and religious knowledge domains whilst introducing the notion of balance to mainstream leadership literature. The conceptualizations presented in the book serve to dissect the leadership literature, present historical and philosophical accounts of the balanced leadership concept and infuse that with Islamic theology. The book is useful for practitioners interested in leadership studies as well as scholars and researchers aiming at extending the leadership literature.
Principles of Educational Leadership and Management by Tony Bush (Editor); Les Bell (Editor); David Middlewood (Editor)
ISBN: 9781526431738

Publication Date: 2019-06-04

This new edition brings together leading authorities from across the globe to provide a truly international perspective into educational leadership and management in school and post-school sectors. Covering both developed and developing countries, it is underpinned by a substantially updated analysis of theory, research, policy and practice. Key topics include: - How leadership and management differ in education - An overview of key models of educational leadership - The relationship between leadership capabilities and enhanced student outcomes - Leading for diversity and inclusion and the policy and practice challenges that follow leadership for social justice This is essential reading for anyone taking courses in educational leadership and management at postgraduate level, or as professional development, and for current and aspiring educational leaders seeking to enhance their practice.

Course Resources

Week 1

Making Sense of Effective School Improvement

Define school improvement: Explore definitions and indicators of 'effective' school improvement in the UAE.
Introduction to the National Educators’ Competencies Framework (NECF) and its alignment to UAE School Inspection Framework (IRTIQAA), and Educational Leadership Standards.
Discuss the role of school leadership in shaping school culture and improvement priorities
Reflective Activity: Write a “Letter to Myself” describing the kind of leader you are now and aspire to become, including the values, beliefs, and challenges that shape your leadership. This letter will be revisited in Week 11 as part of your final Leadership Philosophy paper.

Required Readings

Macbeath, J., & Mortimore, P. (2001). School Effectiveness and Improvement: The story so far. In J. Macbeath and P. Mortimore (Eds.) Improving School Effectiveness. Open University Press.
UAE National Educators Competency Framework. (2024). ECAE-MOE.
Plaku, A. K., & Leka, K. (2025). The role of leaders in shaping school culture. Frontiers in Education, 10, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2025.1541525

Recomended Reading

Turan, S., & Bektas, F., (2013). The Relationship between School Culture and Leadership Practices. Eurasian journal of educational research, 13, 155-168. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1060393.pdf

Week 2

Making Sense of Effective School Improvement (Contd.)

Introduction to organizational learning and schools as learning communities
Examine characteristics of improving schools and the formative processes that support school-wide growth
Identify enabling systems and policies for inclusive, culturally responsive school improvement in the UAE

Required Readings

Senge, P. M., Cambron-McCabe, N., Lucas, T., Smith, B., & Dutton, J. (2012). Schools that learn (Updated and revised): A fifth discipline field book for educators, parents, and everyone who cares about education. (pp. 3-22). Crown Publishing Group.
Shaked, H., & Schechter, C. (2020). Systems thinking leadership: New explorations for school improvement. Management in Education, 34(3), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.1177/0892020620907327

Recommended Readings

Hansen, J.Ø., Jensen, A. & Nguyen, N. (2020). The responsible learning organization: Can Senge (1990) teach organizations how to become responsible innovators?, The Learning Organization, 27(1), pp. 65- 74. https://doi.org/10.1108/TLO-11-2019-0164
Sinay, E., & Ryan, T. G. (2016). Research series on school effectiveness and school improvement: Characteristics of Effective School Improvement Planning and Key Steps. Research & Information Services: Toronto District School Board. Report No. 16/17-04 (pp. 6-23).

Week 3

Understanding Leadership Theories for School Improvement

Overview of leadership theories and their evolution
Critically analyze their usefulness in school improvement in the UAE context

Required Readings

Bush, T. (2019). Models of Educational Leadership. In T. Bush, L. Bell, & D. Middlewood (Eds.), The Principles of Educational Leadership and Management (3rd ed., pp. 3-18). Sage Publications.
Peng, T., Wang, C., Xu, J., Dai, J., & Yu, T. (2024). Evolution and current research status of educational leadership theory: a content analysis-based study. SAGE Open, 14(3), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241285763

Recommended Reading

Badshah, S. (2012). Historical study of leadership theories. Journal of Strategic Human Resource Management, 1(1), 49-59. https://www.ischolar.in/index.php/jshrm/article/view/3825

Week 4

Leadership for Learning: Servant, Transactional, and Transformational leadership

Understand the relationship between leadership vision and school improvement
Explore how transformational, servant, and transactional leadership differ in approach and impact • Crafting and communicating school vision and strategic priorities

Required Readings

Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed.). Sage Publications. (Chapters 8, 10)
Davies, B., & Davies, B. J. (2012). The nature and dimensions of strategic leadership. In M. Preedy, N. Bennet, and C. Wise (Eds.) Educational Leadership: Context, Strategy, and Collaboration (pp. 83-95). Sage Publications.

Recommended Reading

DeWitt, D. M. (2023). Exemplary Leadership: A Study of Award Winning School Leaders. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 7(2), 1-11.https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1415395

Week 5

Leadership for Learning – Instructional and Pedagogical Leadership Theory and Practice

Examine core elements of pedagogical and instructional leadership
Analyze leadership strategies for supporting teacher professional growth
Use teacher and student voice data to inform instructional decisions

Required Readings

Hallinger, P. (2019). Instructional Leadership 1950-2018: Transformation from an American to a Global Construct. In T. Bush, L. Bell, & D. Middlewood (Eds.), The Principles of Educational Leadership and Management (3rd ed., pp. 19-38). Sage Publications.
Male, T., & Palaiologou, I. (2015). Pedagogical leadership in the 21st century: Evidence from the field. Educational Management Administration and Leadership, 43(2), 214-231. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143213494889

Recommended Reading

Jerdborg, S. (2023). Novice School Principals in Education and their experiences of pedagogical leadership in practice. Journal of Leadership Education, 131-148. https://doi.org/10.12806/V22/I1/R8

Week 6

Leadership for Learning - Culturally Responsive Leadership Theories and Practices

Definition and dimensions of cultural competency and its relevance in UAE schools
Investigate how leadership can shape culturally responsive team dynamics
Leadership role in fostering inclusive school environments
Unpack ethical leadership through global and Islamic frameworks
Navigate ethical dilemmas in leadership using structured decisionmaking models

Required Readings

ElKaleh, E. & Stryker, C. (2023). Cultural competency as a critical component of quality public administration services: A framework for leading multicultural teams. In A. Sahlane, & R. Pritchard (Eds) Critical intercultural literacy and international language education. Palgrave Macmillan.
ElKaleh, E. (2023). A model of balanced leadership from an Islamic perspective: What makes a balanced and effective Muslim leader. In N. Elbassiouny, A. Amin, & J. Wilson (Eds.) What makes a balanced leader? An Islamic perspective.
De Gruyter. Begley, P. T. (2019). Leading with a Moral Purpose: The Place of Ethics. In M. Preedy, N. Bennet, and C. Wise (Eds.) Educational Leadership: Context, Strategy, and Collaboration (pp. 38-51). Sage Publications.

Recommended Readings

Viloria, M. D. L., Vasquez, A., & Hernandez, G. (2025). Novice School Prinicpals' Culturally Responsive Leadership Practices. Journal of Educational Leadership in Action, 9(3), 8.https://doi.org/10.62608/2164-1102.1160
Shah, S. (2006). Educational leadership: An Islamic perspective. British Educational Research Journal, 32(3), 363-385. https://doi.org/10.1080/01411920600635403

Week 7

Leadership for Learning - Distributed and Sustainable Leadership Theories and Practices

Understand the principles of distributed and sustainable leadership and their contribution to long-term school improvement
Examine how voice, collaboration, and leadership capacity-building support inclusive and effective leadership distribution
Analyze strategies for institutional learning, and sustaining improvement beyond individual leaders
Critically reflect on UAE-based practices that foster or hinder sustainable leadership systems in schools

Required Readings

Spillane, J. P., & Orlina, E. C. (2005). Investigating leadership practice: Exploring the entailments of taking a distributed perspective. Leadership and Policy in Schools, 4(3), 157–176. https://doi.org/10.1080/15700760500244728
Santos, I. M., Amatullah, T., Agbenyega, J., & de Souza, D. N. (2024). The influence of student voice on teacher professional learning: A systematic literature review. Review of Education, 12(3), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.70014
Lambert, M. C., Hancock, D. R., & Holshouser, K. O. (2023). Understanding School Principals' Actions Regarding the Implementation of Education for Sustainable Development. Journal of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 7(2), 1-13. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1415391.pdf

Recommended Reading

Elkaleh, E., Ali, N., Khurma, O. A., & El Sherif, H. M. (2025). Towards a model for sustainable leadership in educational contexts: A moderated mediated analysis of UAE and Hong Kong. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101478

Week 9

Leading Organizational Learning & Professional Growth

Explore how leaders build learning organizations and inquiry cultures.
Analyze leadership theories and practices that support ongoing teacher development.
Review structures that sustain school-wide professional learning.
Connect teacher growth to system improvement and student outcomes.

Required Readings

Flood, R.L. “Fifth Discipline”: Review and Discussion. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 11, 259–273 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022948013380
Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M. E., & Gardner, M. (2017). Effective Teacher Professional Development. Learning Policy Institute. 1-24. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED606743.pdf
Robinson, V. M. J., Lloyd, C. A., & Rowe, K. J. (2008). The impact of leadership on student outcomes: An analysis of the differential effects of leadership types. Educational Administration Quarterly, 44(5), 635–674. https://doi.org/10.1177/0013161X08321509

Recommended Reading

Bell. L., (2019). Leading and Managing Professional Learning. In T. Bush, L. Bell, & D. Middlewood (Eds.), The Principles of Educational Leadership and Management (3rd ed., pp. 95-116). Sage Publications

Week 10

Leadership Communication, Conflict Resolution & Feedback for School Improvement

Critically examine feedback, facilitation, and communication strategies.
Analyze leadership theories and practices for conflict resolution approaches in diverse school teams.

Required Readings

Bercovitch, J. (2019). Social conflicts and third parties: Strategies of conflict resolution. Routledge. (Chapter 1)
Ossenberg, C., Henderson, A., & Mitchell, M. (2019). What attributes guide best practice for effective feedback? A scoping review. Advances in Health Sciences Education, 24(2), 383-401. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10459-018-9854-x
Kellermann, C., Nachbauer, M., Gaertner, H., & Thiel, F. (2022). The effect of school leaders’ feedback on teaching quality perceived by students – results of an intervention study. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 34(1), 24–42. https://doi.org/10.1080/09243453.2022.2075018

Recommended Reading

Saiti, A. (2014). Conflicts in schools, conflict management styles and the role of the school leader: A study of Greek primary school educators. Educational Management Administration & Leadership, 43(4), 582-609. https://doi.org/10.1177/1741143214523007 (Original work published 2015)

Week 11

Developing Leadership Philosophy for School Improvement

Integrate key leadership theories, values, and models into a coherent personal leadership philosophy
Critically reflect on how inclusive, sustainable, and policy-aligned leadership practices shape school improvement
Synthesize insights from across the course to articulate students’ leadership identity in the UAE context
Prepare and finalize Leadership Philosophy Paper (Assessment 2) with clear links to effective school improvement practices. Revisit your “Letter to Myself” from who students aspired to be as leaders, to who they have become (or are becoming)

Required Readings

Kiplimo, J. J. C. (2023). Personal Leadership Philosophy for the 21st Century: Integrating Theory, Experience, and Perspectives. Journal of Human Resource & Leadership, 7(4), 30-49. https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t30107
Amatullah, T. (2023). An unfold narrative of a female Muslim educational leader. In K. Arar, R. Sawalhi, A. DeCuir, and T. Amatullah (Eds.) Islamic-Based Educational Leadership, Administration and Management. Routledge.
Stoll, L., MacBeath, J., Mortimore, P. (2000). Beyond 2000: Where next for effectiveness and improvement? In J. Macbeath and P. Mortimore (Eds.) Improving School Effectiveness. (pp. 191-207). Open University Press.

Recommended Reading

Windon, S. (2023, March 9). Tips for Developing a Personal Leadership Philosophy. Penn State University. https://extension.psu.edu/tips-for-developing-a-personal-leadership-philosophy

M Ed on Educational Leadership and School Improvement (ELSI): ELSI1:Leadership theory, research and practices for effective school improvement in the UAE

Course Description

Books

Course Resources