An Innovative Leadership Program for Educational Opportunity Expansion School Administrators

This research aimed to 1) study the current conditions, desired conditions, and necessary needs for enhancing innovative leadership of school administrators in educational opportunity expansion schools of Nakhon Ratchasima Primary Educational Service Area Office 7, and 2) create a program to enhance innovative leadership of those school administrators. The research was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 was to study the current conditions, desired conditions, and necessary needs for enhancing innovative leadership of school administrators in educational opportunity expansion schools. The sample consisted of 302 participants, including school administrators and teachers. The data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, and modified priority needs index (PNI). Phase 2 was to create and assess a program to enhance innovative leadership of those school administrators. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 3 school administrators recognized as the best practice examples and analyzed the data using content analysis. The study found that the current condition was at a moderate level, while the desired condition was at the highest level. The most necessary need for enhancement was collaboration and teamwork. The program had 5 key elements including the principle, objective, contents, methods, and evaluations. The contents consisted of 5 modules: Module 1 - Innovation Vision, Module 2 - Innovation Personnel Development, Module 3 - Innovation Thought Leadership, Module 4 – Participation and Teamwork, and Module 5 - Innovative Creativity. Experts rated the program's suitability and feasibility at the highest level, confirming its potential for effective implementation.