A social network analysis of distributed leadership in schools

The focus on leadership has gained popularity among educational researchers who seek to find ways of improving schools. The concept of distributed leadership has come to the forefront as a form of leadership that can be used to address the seemingly monumental challenges school principals are faced with as they attempt to improve their schools. One way of studying distributed leadership is to examine the manner in which it is "stretched" across the faculties of schools.;As with any organization, schools can be examined in terms of the relationships teachers are engaged in. These relationships, also known as social networks, are instrumental in the success of school improvement and the implementation of school programs. Within these networks, particular teachers gain certain amounts of influence around particular issues. It is this influence that makes them the informal leaders of the school.;By analyzing these networks, it becomes better understood how leadership is distributed in schools. Leaders who can identify the informal leaders within the school have an increased potential for successfully managing relationships and ultimately improving the school.;Using social network analysis, this study examines how leadership is distributed across the social networks of two schools. It will seek to identify how social networks are established in terms of leadership around several instructional issues. It also will examine how formal school leaders identify and utilize informal leaders to improve pedagogy. Finally, this proposed research has the potential to add to the existing literature regarding distributed leadership and social networks in schools.