Thomas G. Ryan; Christine Duncan
Description:
This case involves an incident of physical aggression that occurred between two students at an elementary level. It typifies the complexity, multidimensionality, and tension involved in school based leadership. A principal in this case made a unilateral decision, instead of considering viable alternatives, thereby deciding on a course of action that would adequately address the tensions between many inherent competing values. The clear bias of this case combined with a deliberate provocative orientation and tone produces the resultant tension herein.