This paper reveals the significant historical traces which informed the learning practices of teachers at one particular school site in a rural and regional educational district in Australia. Drawing upon recent theorising into professional practice, the paper argues that teacher learning practices are intrinsically "ecologically"…

This paper details a cross-cultural study of inclusive leadership practices within a basic education context in each of the following countries: Australia, Canada, and Colombia. Each school was selected after district educational leaders identified the school as being inclusive of students with diverse learning needs over an extended period of…

There is a robust body of work highlighting distinctive challenges encountered by leaders of small schools in pursuit of school improvement but this work has focused on the school as the unit of change and neglects the role of the district. As the district potentially influences what principals know and how they use their knowledge, this article…

This paper compares the selection process for a high school principal in a medium-sized school district in the western United States with the principal selection process in the school system of New South Wales, Australia. The author first briefly describes the two school systems on which the study is based and then examines in considerable detail…

Discusses possible approaches to Web-based surveys and presents a case study of school districts in Australia that used an offline contact-online response approach. Highlights include variations in technology use in schools and homes; problems encountered; and suggestions for future Web-based survey research. (Author/LRW)

This publication contains case studies of the educational decision-making process in New South Wales and other Australian states. According to the publication, some form of school council or board is the most common decision-making structure used in the schools. A selection of the structures currently being used that involve community…

This paper evaluates a professional development training program in Western Australia that focused on the development of skills for self-evaluation and school development sessions in the context of local, school, and system accountability. The evaluation attempted to determine: (1) the relevance and value of the learning experience; (2) skill…

Describes an Australian Catholic school district's efforts to pursue school effectiveness by implementing system-level practices embodying Fullan's notions of support and pressure. Key elements included school development processes and appraisal and professional development for principals and teachers. The system has mobilized resources for…

Analyzes and critiques the sociocultural and educational features that comprise the macrocontext for teaching environmental education in Queensland, Australia. Concepts outlined in the analysis include the global context of teaching environmental education; the political, economic, and social context of Queensland; the national party; the…