<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> In the literature, the school leader (head of school) is considered a key figure in strengthening school autonomy and stimulating the further development of the school organization. To improve the functioning of school leaders a centralized assessment of all candidates who want to become school leaders was introduced in Lithuania in 2011. The findings of a qualitative study into the first experiences with the assessment provide a deeper understanding of current school leadership problems in Lithuania. A comparison of these findings with the literature on school leadership and the assumptions underlying the recently changed school-leader appointment procedure reveal the lack of a clear vision on school leadership. Some general management competences - such as managing and motivating people, making decisions and strategic thinking - are underdeveloped.</p></abstract>

In the literature, the school leader (head of school) is considered a key figure in strengthening school autonomy and stimulating the further development of the school organization. To improve the functioning of school leaders a centralized assessment of all candidates who want to become school leaders was introduced in Lithuania in 2011. The findings of a qualitative study into the first experiences with the assessment provide a deeper understanding of current school leadership problems in Lithuania. A comparison of these findings with the literature on school leadership and the assumptions underlying the recently changed school-leader appointment procedure reveal the lack of a clear vision on school leadership. Some general management competences - such as managing and motivating people, making decisions and strategic thinking - are underdeveloped.

School Autonomy and Leadership in Lithuania: Can School Leaders Help Schools to Take a Step forward ?

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science & Public Administration, Nijmegen School of Management, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Associate Professor, Department of Public Administration, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, Lithuania

NISPAcee Journal of Public Administration and Policy

In the literature, the school leader (head of school) is considered a key figure in strengthening school autonomy and stimulating the further development of...

School Autonomy and Leadership in Lithuania: Can School Leaders Help Schools to Take a Step forward ?

Published Online: Sep 07, 2013

Page range: 61 - 78

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/nispa-2013-0003

Keywords
school autonomy, school leader, assessments

This content is open access.

School Autonomy and Leadership in Lithuania: Can School Leaders Help Schools to Take a Step forward ?

Published Online: Sep 07, 2013

Page range: 61 - 78

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/nispa-2013-0003

Keywordsschool autonomy, school leader, assessments

This content is open access.

Keywords
school autonomy, school leader, assessments