Transformational Leadership Approaches to Improve School Management Efficiency in Junior High Schools, Henan, China
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Abstract
This study explores transformational leadership in junior high schools in Henan, China, aiming to enhance school management efficiency. This mixed-method research aimed to (1) study the transformational leadership of school administrators and school management efficiency in junior high schools in Dengfeng, Henan, China; (2) develop transformational leadership approaches for improving school management efficiency; and (3) evaluate these approaches to enhance school management efficiency. The research was conducted in three phases: Phase 1 involved investigating the transformational leadership of junior high school administrators and school management efficiency through quantitative surveys. Phase 2 focused on developing transformational leadership methods for school administrators to improve school management efficiency, using qualitative data from in-depth interviews. Phase 3 entailed evaluating the effectiveness of these transformational leadership methods through expert evaluations and feedback. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative methods, involving a questionnaire survey of 190 school administrators and in-depth interviews with 10 principals. Additionally, the developed approaches were evaluated by a focus group of nine educational management experts.
The study found that: (1) In the context of transformational leadership, principals excelled in idealized influence and inspirational motivation, but there is room for improvement in intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration. In terms of school management efficiency, schools performed well in academic outcomes and resource allocation, but administrative processes showed variability and required enhancement. (2) A series of transformational leadership approaches were developed to enhance school management efficiency, including ethical workshops, transparent decision-making, vision sharing, innovation labs, and personalized support. (3) The expert evaluation process validated these approaches, suggesting improvements such as incorporating interactive elements and multimedia tools and enhancing personalized support for staff. In conclusion, this study identifies feasible transformational leadership approaches to develop school management efficiency and fills a research gap in Henan Province, China.
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