Connective, Shared, and Full-Range Models of Leadership for Literacy: Using Leadership Theory to Learn from Principal Cases

This qualitative case study explores how three school principals enact leadership in promoting literacy within their individual settings and face diverse obstacles. It draws upon the notable theories of connective leadership, shared leadership, and the full-range model of leadership to examine how and why these principals enact different literacy leadership practices in different contexts to improve literacy instruction. Findings use leadership theory to illustrate how each principal effectively enacts leadership for literacy practices that suit their circumstances and the capabilities of their staff. Collectively, these cases illustrate divergent yet effective approaches to the most fundamental of elementary school pursuits.