Hough & Paine Collaborative decision making reading 4 504

This reading develops the idea of 'collaborative decision making' which is an open system where knowledge and power is shared. The decision making is undertaken by a team which is genuinely representative of all stakeholders.

The authors name a 'lead learning team', which writes the strategic plan for the school and projects outcomes in line with the shared vision and beliefs of the school. They then go on to write the annual management plan, detailing particular outcomes and strategies.

A 'task learning team', in contrast, is established to address a particular system within the school, and make recommendations to the principal in regard to implementation of their decisions. This approach leads to 'roving leadership', where any member of the school community is empowered to play a leadership role.

A summary of Hough & Paine's (1997) Collaborative decision making with teams focuses on schools creating their own future. Traditional decision making methods of autocratic and bureaucratic are compared with consultative and collegiate. These decision making methodologies impact on school cohesion and are responsible in generating a genuine commitment to continual growth. I support Shachar and Sharan's (as cited in Hough & Paine, 1997, p. 114) statement that "... both the school and classroom levels must operate on the basis of the same organisational model if real change in classroom instruction is to be achieved".True leadership is as much about 'walking the walk' as well as 'talking the talk'.

True collaboration and team work are instrumental to achieving the vision of the school - but it does not just happen - it must be taught, modelled and become part of the pedagogical practices of the Principal and staff.

For a TL, leadership is about demonstrating and implementing practices that model collaborative and collegial efforts. They have the unique perspective of the school community from their work with all year levels, students, teachers and administration.



Hough, M. & Paine, J. (1997). Collaborative decision making with teams. (pp. 110-127). In Creating quality learning communities. South Melbourne: Macmillan.