Abstract
In this chapter, we report data from two projects concerned with the aspirant principals’ perspectives about school principal recruitment in three Australian states. In particular, we consider what our respondents perceive as factors that inhibit the realisation of their aspirations. One of these factors is to do with aspects of the operation of school-based processes of application and selection. Principal aspirants regard selection as a game that works to the advantage of internal applicants for advertised vacancies. We analyse a number of dimensions of the selection game and we liken the bias towards internal candidates as a form of personnel cloning. Finally, we consider some possible explanations for this practice and review its wider significance in respect of the themes of risks, risk-taking and risk aversion in employment recruitment.
The research reported in this chapter was undertaken by the co-authors when they were colleagues in the Faculty of Education, Monash University, Australia. This chapter first appeared as: Gronn, P. & Lacey, K. (2006) Cloning their own: Aspirant principals and the school-based selection game. Australian Journal of Education, 50(2): 102–121.
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Notes
- 1.
The authors are grateful for funding received for 2004 from the Monash University Small Grants Scheme.
- 2.
The authors are grateful for funding received from the Australian Research Council (Discovery Project: DP 0453405) for 2004–2005. They also wish to thank Fay Donlevy for transcribing the interviews.
- 3.
Source: Department of Education Training, Victoria (Policy and Employee Relations Branch), March 2002 and August 2005.
- 4.
Department of Education, Tasmania Guidelines for Applicants (July 2004), p. 2.
- 5.
Education Queensland, Applicant Package, Positions Bands 5–11 (undated) http://www.qed.qld.gov.au
- 6.
Department of Education & Training, Victoria, Blueprint for Government Schools Initiative: Principal Selection Process (undated), p. 5. http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/blueprint/fs3/selection.asp Principal selection, at the time of writing, is under review in Victoria.
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Gronn, P., Lacey, K. (2010). Cloning Their Own: Aspirant Principals and the School-Based Selection Game. In: Huber, S. (eds) School Leadership - International Perspectives. Studies in Educational Leadership, vol 10. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-3501-1_15
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