Distributed leadership and school improvement. Evaluation of a training course for principals

Abstract

Distributed leadership proposals have contributed to a change in the approach of school leadership. The analysis of the planned modality of distribution of leadership in relation to school improvement, positions it as a generator of direct benefits on the professional capacity of teachers and the strengthening of school culture; also, indirectly on student learning. However, training managers in leadership practices, and among them distributed leadership, continues to be a challenge. The objective of the article is to present the results of the evaluation of a training experience in these specific practices, which were addressed within the framework of a cycle of training of directors of primary and secondary schools located in areas of economic disadvantage and cultural diversity. At the end of the cycle, the participating managers awarded high ratings of reaction, appropriation and application of the contents, tools and practices to lay the foundations of planned patterns of leadership distribution and collaborative work to carry out basic improvement projects.