Cross-Sectoral Leaders of Partnerships in Reforming Senior L/earning in Queensland: Implications for the Professional Learning of Education and Training Leaders

This working paper "investigates" the role of Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) in providing leaders with a driver for reforming Senior L/earning (Years 10, 11 and 12). Using a "case study methodology", this paper explores the collaboration and cooperation across different borders and sectors among leaders in the reform to Senior L/earning in Queensland (Australia) related to teacher resources and funding. Given that this Senior L/earning reform is multi-layer and cross-sectoral reform, "interviews" have been conducted with educational and training leaders at the school, regional and State levels, as well as leaders of registered training organisations and technical colleges. "Data from interviews" with 21 leaders in Queensland has been analysed, initially by using NVivo and conceptually by exploring Sergiovanni's (2005) argument concerning the place of hope in leadership. The "analysis of evidence" indicates that leaders play a decisive role in the success of Queensland's Senior L/earning reforms, in particular in dealing with the difficulties in the implementation process. This paper reports on how and what these leaders do and collaborate in the reforms they are pursuing and leading. (Contains 1 figure and 1 footnote.) [This paper is the result of a research project supported by the Australian Research Council.]