چکیده (انگلیسی):

School leaders’ tasks have become increasingly complex, as a result of
globalization, a shift towards knowledge based economies, greater student diversity
and an increased government focus on education policy reforms targeting and
affecting schools. The role of school principals has moved from administrative
leadership towards focusing on student outcomes, with more autonomy and
accountability, and increased responsibilities for implementing policy reforms in
schools and classrooms. This article focuses on how policies can ensure that school
leaders contribute to school improvement. It builds on an international OECD study
on school leadership which analyzed practices across 22 education systems in 2008
and explores developments since to propose policy options that can contribute to
support the professionalization of school leadership. Among the key strategies
suggested that many countries have been taken up are: clarifying the role of school
leaders based on the tasks that make most difference on school outcomes; ensuring
there is specialized training and development: that working conditions are attractive
to ensure that there are quality professionals in exercise and that it is a sustainable
profession that is well supported.