A1 Journal article (refereed)
Three orientations for understanding educational autonomy : School principals’ voices from Australia, Finland, and Jamaica (2021)
Heikkinen, H. L. T., Wilkinson, J., & Bristol, L. (2021). Three orientations for understanding educational autonomy : School principals’ voices from Australia, Finland, and Jamaica. Journal of Educational Administration and History, 53(3-4), 198-214. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2020.1849060
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Heikkinen, Hannu L. T.; Wilkinson, Jane; Bristol, Laurette
Journal or series: Journal of Educational Administration and History
ISSN: 0022-0620
eISSN: 1478-7431
Publication year: 2021
Volume: 53
Issue number: 3-4
Pages range: 198-214
Publisher: Routledge
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00220620.2020.1849060
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/74410
Abstract
This paper reports on the findings from a multi-site case study conducted in Australia, Finland and Jamaica which explored the conditions that enabled and constrained the autonomy of school principals. Systematic data collection was carried out in the form of interviews of school principals and the data was analysed using a qualitative approach. The analysis indicates that: (1) school principals’ practices are prefigured by the peculiarities of historical trajectories and ideological traditions enmeshed in schooling sites; (2) these prefiguring arrangements in turn influence varying realisations of autonomous decision making practices across national sites; and (3) even in the expression of high/low levels of autonomy, there are contradictory and contested practices. Through the analysis, three different orientations to autonomy were found: a neoliberal market orientation, a professional practice orientation and an educational praxis orientation.
Keywords: school administration; leadership (activity); decision making; autonomy (societal properties); headmasters; professional development; practice
Free keywords: school autonomy; professional autonomy; professional development; professional learning; educational leadership; praxis
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2021
JUFO rating: 1