The purpose of the study was to investigate the relevance of School Management Training (SMT) to school practice; present an overview of SMT in Zimbabwe; and identify and analyse relevant SMT models to school headship. The research methods involved a literature study of primary and secondary sources, as well as an empirical situation analysis of SMT in Zimbabwe. The secondary sources comprised books, journals, research dissertations and theses. The primary sources comprised official circulars, course outlines of the B.Ed (EAPPS) degree programme and the Heads Training Support Programme (HTSP) modules. The knowledge drawn from these sources was the basis for developing appropriate models for SMT. The empirical situation analysis comprised the use of questionnaires and interviews to examine the content, typology, the modes of SMT in Zimbabwe, as provided by a sample of 218 randomly selected school heads in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South regions. Personal and group interviews were conducted with selected school heads. The findings revealed the following strengths of SMT in Zimbabwe: • Induction SMT is offered to newly-appointed school heads in order to inspire their confidence in leadership. • Various forms of continuing on-site SMT on-the-job training opportunities to school heads. • Whilst off-site SMT workshops inculcate skills from school headship expenence, SMT conferences and seminars run by heads' professional associations cater for SMT needs of school heads. Weaknesses of SMT in Zimbabwe exposed by the study involve: • Lack of SMT newsletters to encourage self-induction • Lack of institutional provision for the smooth co-ordination of SMT • Little involvement of university experts in non-formal SMT (iii) A tripartite collaborative SMT model which integrates self-development, university tuition and HTSP tuition is recommended. For the smooth operation of the model a dedicated institute for SMT is recommended. Any further research study, local or in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, should investigate the feasibility of a tripartite collaborative model and the dedicated institute in SMT / Educational Leadership and Management / D.Ed. (Education Management)

The purpose of this study is to examine the work-life balance experiences of Black females school leaders. Due to the inherent intersectionality of race and gender that is experienced by Black females, a study of their unique experiences with work-life balance is valuable to the field of educational leadership. The responsibilities associated with school leadership positions are extensive and those school leaders who also have spouses and children must figure out a way to fulfill responsibilities associated with each role. Work-life balance is important to understand for school leaders whose career responsibilities may interact with those associated with their personal lives. The theoretical framework, Black Feminist Thought, guided the data collection and analysis processes, and provided the basis for the resulting narrative findings. This study gave voice to an otherwise silenced, marginalized group, Black female school leaders. All data was synthesized into narratives and from these narratives came six themes: (1) Familial Sacrifice; (2) Servant Leadership; (3) Informal and Formal Work-life Balance Policies; (4) Notion of Self-Care; (5) Upbringing and Black Females’ Prideful Identity; and (6) Black Females having to prove themselves. While this study does not show evidence of school leaders having achieves work-life balance, the findings will inform the practices of perspective Black female school leaders and add the voices of Black female school leaders to the literature on Black female school leader’s experiences with work-life balance.

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This case study explored the use of site-visitation as a diagnostic tool for school improvement. Nine charter schools in New Orleans were selected for the study. Based on qualitative research and systems theory, a within- and cross-case analysis of nine semi-structured interviews with school leaders were conducted. The school leaders’ experiences with the state-run site-visitation model and their use of the findings for school improvement was explored. The findings led to the development of a hybrid accountability model that encompasses the components school leaders believe will lead to school improvement. This study aims to assist educators, policy makers, and researchers to better understand site-visitation and its role in school improvement.

This study highlights the personal and descriptive stories, narratives, and accounts that detail the lived experiences of Black, female school principals in predominantly white school districts. Based on the personal experiences of these four Black, female school principals, recommendations are made to predominantly white school districts seeking to meet the needs of Black women serving as leaders within their school districts, organizations, and institutions.

No description available.