ABSTRACT
“Effective” or “successful” leadership is critical to school reform. There are many different theories and models, many books and articles identifying various leadership theories, many reform strategies, and yet there has been little sustained and significant change. Transformative leadership (TL) begins with questions of justice and democracy; it critiques inequitable practices and offers the promise not only of greater individual achievement but of a better life lived in common with others. TL is informed by critical theorists who decry the inequities in the status quo and seek ways of redressing them. TL is a critical leadership theory that emphasizes inclusion, equity, excellence, and social justice. TL theory is based on a theory of action that is informed by two general hypotheses. The first relates to individual achievement and the second to the collective welfare of a democratic society. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
