Self-learning in Small Groups for School Principals' Training. A Pilot Program Analysis

This paper analyses the potential for school principals' professional development of the work in small groups as a strategy implemented by a highly-structured training program based on reflection and group coaching and addressed to principals with different degrees of experience. A total of 94 experienced principals were involved in the program, grouped into 14 groups of six participants plus a coach. They came from schools of different characteristics along the eight Andalusian provinces. For the purpose of the paper, a first assessment of the second version of the program has been carried out, based on a satisfaction questionnaire fulfilled by the participants and the observation of the sessions, which were video-recorded and analysed by means of an ad hoc category system. The study proved the capacity of a specific self-learning training tool in order to promote a real change/learning of the participants' conceptions about school leadership. Some groups achieved a deep reflection about their members' practices. The analysis of the interaction process inside the group allowed the researchers to identify the critical issues that impeded the other groups to achieve such learning. Program design produced overall satisfaction in the totality of the participants, independently of the degree they achieved the learning goals.