The 4 P’s of Enactment: Purpose, Praxis, Problems, and Policy Lessons from a Framework on Ethos

Abstract

The integration of values into education is a recognized priority globally, with educational systems seeking effective methods to instill and uphold these principles. In the Irish context, the 1998 Education Act mandates that school patrons uphold the ethos, or “characteristic spirit,” synonymous with values. Recently, publicly managed schools in collaboration with Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) embarked on developing a framework to embody sectoral values, outlined in the ETBI Patrons’ Framework on Ethos (2022). To facilitate the enactment of these values, a national community of practice (CoP) network comprising ethos coordinators was established. This paper investigates the experiences of this network, tasked with enacting a value-based framework in Irish publicly managed schools. Through thematic analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with ethos coordinators (n = 15), we identified interconnected themes emphasizing Purpose, Praxis, Problems, and Policy (the 4 P’s). Focusing on ethos coordinators experiences, the research delves into their purpose, practical aspects, and challenges. Two discussion themes emerge: Leadership Dynamics in Policy Enactment: Navigating Purpose, Praxis, Problems and Policy and Facilitating Policy Enactment and Strategies for Integration in School Contexts. This study outlines the pivotal role of strategic leadership in linking policy to practice.