School Leadership Aspiration: Differences in Perception of Drivers and Barriers across Hierarchical Levels

Abstract

<p>This article discusses the leadership crisis</p> <p>looming in schools. With fewer people aspiring</p> <p>to take on school leadership, school education</p> <p>systems must consider the drivers and barriers</p> <p>of school leadership aspiration. This article</p> <p>describes the perceptions of respondents</p> <p>from three hierarchical levels within a faithbased</p> <p>education system as to the factors</p> <p>influencing their willingness or unwillingness</p> <p>to consider school leadership positions. This</p> <p>research explored survey data, both quantitative</p> <p>and qualitative, relating to school leadership</p> <p>aspirations and influences with regard to</p> <p>applying for school leadership positions.</p> <p>Five factors were found to influence the</p> <p>unwillingness of respondents to consider school</p> <p>leadership positions, while seven factors were</p> <p>identified to influence willingness to consider</p> <p>school leadership positions. Additionally,</p> <p>four influence factors were identified which, if</p> <p>significantly improved, would act to increase</p> <p>respondent aspiration and thus influence their</p> <p>willingness to consider school leadership</p> <p>positions in the future.</p>