Goal pursuit practices in high schools: hitting the target?
Journal of Educational Administration
ISSN: 0957-8234
Article publication date: 24 August 2020
Issue publication date: 31 October 2020
Abstract
Purpose
This article investigates goal pursuit practices in a sample of 31 New Zealand high schools. It examines goal knowledge of middle and senior leaders, the alignment of this knowledge and factors related to improvement.
Design/methodology/approach
Goals from schools' annual improvement plans were identified and counted at the beginning of the academic year. Senior and middle leaders were asked to recall their school's academic goals from memory. Responses were scored against the goals in the schools' plans to produce an accuracy score for each leader and for each middle and senior leadership team (SLT). At the end of the academic year, leaders recounted their goals and rated and commented on their SLT’s goal focus. Data analysis examined goal knowledge, alignment of middle and senior leaders' goal knowledge and SLT's goal focus. Comments were analyzed thematically in regard to the number and clarity of the goals and how goals were communicated, enacted and monitored.
Findings
Our findings show a lack of goal clarity, persistence across the year and effective strategy hampered the majority of schools in their goal pursuit. Only a few schools had a strong and aligned goal focus. Factors influencing perceived improvement included: fewer and greater clarity of goals, engagement of middle leaders in setting goals, establishing sound supporting structures and regular monitoring of progress.
Originality/value
While annual improvement plans outlining multiple goals are often compulsory for schools, little is known about their impact on practice. This research clarifies the state of goal pursuit in a sample of high schools.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Recognition and thanks go to the Starpath Project funded by New Zealand's Tertiary Education Commission, for funding this research and development project. Our thanks also go to the reviewers and editors who added considerable value with their advice.
Citation
Bendikson, L., Broadwith, M., Zhu, T. and Meyer, F. (2020), "Goal pursuit practices in high schools: hitting the target?", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 58 No. 6, pp. 713-728. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-01-2020-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited