ERIC Number: EJ1198391
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1360-3124
EISSN: N/A
Visionary Planning and the Eagle Ford Shale Play: A Cross-Case Study of Rural School Superintendents as Sense-Makers
Hemmer, Lynn; Aguilar, Israel; Fleming, Kathleen
International Journal of Leadership in Education, v21 n6 p741-756 2018
The decision-making processes used by superintendents in times of economic crises are well documented. Little is known about how they respond/plan in times of economic gains. The purpose of this study is to explore how superintendents respond and plan for the future amidst the changes brought about by oil and gas development of the Eagle Ford Shale (EFS) in South Central Texas. Two research questions guided this qualitative study: in what ways are rural school district superintendents sensemakers and how do they respond to the presence of the EFS Play? Three superintendent's narratives were represented against a backdrop of structural functionalism and a model of sensemaking. Sensemaking is how the superintendents in our study explained what is going on within their school districts. Despite increased reserves and affluence two issues took precedence: school facilities/physical plants deterioration and declining academic achievement. Each superintendent leveraged the situation as a process to maximise economic benefits to school improvement. The EFS play was viewed as a strategic opportunity to pass/administer school bond elections; to a lesser degree academic improvement. Implications: Rapidly changing economics requires new and increased knowledge of superintendents. Balanced sensemaking will help superintendents with visions of sustained development and improved opportunities.
Descriptors: Rural Schools, Superintendents, Long Range Planning, Fuels, Economic Climate, School District Wealth, Educational Finance, Accountability, Strategic Planning, Academic Achievement, Educational Facilities, Educational Improvement, Bond Issues
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A