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Brokering, buffering, and the rationalities of principal work

Kimberly LeChasseur (Department of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA)
Morgaen Donaldson (University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA)
Erica Fernandez (Department of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA)
Michele Femc-Bagwell (Department of Educational Leadership, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA)

Journal of Educational Administration

ISSN: 0957-8234

Article publication date: 24 November 2017

Issue publication date: 10 May 2018

415

Abstract

Purpose

Brokering and buffering represent two ways in which principals may respond to hyperrational elements of policy demands in the current era of accountability. The purpose of this paper is to examine how some principals broker more efficient, measurable, and predictable evaluation practices for teachers and others buffer their teachers from inefficient, immeasurable, and unpredictable aspects of policy.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative data were obtained from 37 school principals and 363 teachers across 12 districts participating in a new teacher evaluation policy in one state of the USA. Principal interviews and teacher focus groups were conducted at the beginning, middle, and end of 2012-2013. Transcripts were coded to identify hyperrational elements of the policy and principals’ brokering and buffering practices.

Findings

All principals described elements of the new evaluation policy as inefficient, incalculable, or unpredictable – hallmarks of hyperrationality. Principals brokered efficiency by designing schoolwide parent goals and centralizing procedures; brokered transparency of calculation methods and focused teacher attention on measuring effort, rather than outcomes; and encouraged collective sensemaking to facilitate predictable procedures and outcomes. Principals buffered teachers by de-emphasizing the parent-based component; minimizing the quantitative nature of the ratings; ceding responsibility over calculations to district leaders; and lowering expectations to make ratings controllable.

Originality/value

The paper provides new understanding of principals’ strategic leadership practices, which represented rational responses to hyperrational policy demands. Therefore, the paper includes recommendations for principal preparation, district support for policy implementation, and further research on principal practice.

Keywords

Citation

LeChasseur, K., Donaldson, M., Fernandez, E. and Femc-Bagwell, M. (2018), "Brokering, buffering, and the rationalities of principal work", Journal of Educational Administration, Vol. 56 No. 3, pp. 262-276. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEA-10-2016-0129

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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