The Theoretical and Empirical Basis of Teacher Leadership: A Review of the Literature

Resource type
Journal Article
Authors/contributors
Title
The Theoretical and Empirical Basis of Teacher Leadership: A Review of the Literature
Abstract
In the current review, we examined teacher leadership research completed since York-Barr and Duke published the seminal review on teacher leadership in 2004. The review was undertaken to examine how teacher leadership is defined, how teacher leaders are prepared, their impact, and those factors that facilitate or inhibit teacher leaders’ work. Beyond this, the review considered theories informing teacher leadership, teacher leadership within disciplinary contexts, and the roles of teacher leaders in social justice and equity issues. The most salient findings were (a) teacher leadership, although rarely defined, focused on roles beyond the classroom, supporting the professional learning of peers, influencing policy/decision making, and ultimately targeting student learning; (b) the research is not always theoretically grounded; (c) principals, school structures, and norms are important in empowering or marginalizing teacher leaders; and (d) very little teacher leadership research examines issues of social justice and equity.
Publication
Review of Educational Research
Volume
87
Issue
1
Pages
134-171
Date
02/2017
Journal Abbr
Review of Educational Research
Language
en
ISSN
0034-6543, 1935-1046
Short Title
The Theoretical and Empirical Basis of Teacher Leadership
Accessed
07/03/2021, 17:49
Library Catalogue
DOI.org (Crossref)
Citation
Wenner, J. A., & Campbell, T. (2017). The Theoretical and Empirical Basis of Teacher Leadership: A Review of the Literature. Review of Educational Research, 87(1), 134–171. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654316653478