| The central government ?vidence-informed policy and practice?initiative has potential for promoting effective educational leadership and management but partners involved will have to compromise over several areas of contention. They must develop a shared ?culture of realism? where conflicting interests are acknowledged and compromises negotiated, and address several issues. First, educational leadership and management are contextually embedded and prescriptions must allow for diverse contexts of use. Second, central government agents must be ready to acknowledge that their policies can inhibit leadership and management. Third, a working consensus must be reached on the nature of effectiveness since it is a value-laden notion and partners subscribe to diverse values. Fourth, limits of what are to count as valid research and evidence will have to be established. Fifth, evidence relates to theory in informing action, so partners must give normative theory a place in research, dissemination and training. Sixth, there is a need for a ?national research-literacy strategy? to enhance partners? understanding and acceptance of each other?s concerns and constraints. |