The Emperor’s perfect map: leadership by numbers and Cartesian effects

Paper

Heffernan, Amanda. 2015. "The Emperor’s perfect map: leadership by numbers and Cartesian effects." Annual International Australian Association for Research in Education Conference 2015 (AARE 2015). Fremantle, Australia 29 Nov - 03 Dec 2015 Australia.
Paper/Presentation Title

The Emperor’s perfect map: leadership by numbers and Cartesian effects

Presentation TypePaper
Authors
AuthorHeffernan, Amanda
Journal or Proceedings TitleProceedings of the Annual International Australian Association for Research in Education Conference 2015 (AARE 2015)
ERA Conference ID50546
Number of Pages32
Year2015
Place of PublicationAustralia
Conference/EventAnnual International Australian Association for Research in Education Conference 2015 (AARE 2015)
International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education
Event Details
Annual International Australian Association for Research in Education Conference 2015 (AARE 2015)
Event Date
29 Nov 2015 to end of 03 Dec 2015
Event Location
Fremantle, Australia
Event Details
International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education
Abstract

This paper establishes that system-generated data profiles are influencing the work of principals in three Queensland state schools. Drawing upon Foucault’s notions of governance, as well as research emphasising performative cultures and the importance placed upon numbers and data in education, this paper uses the tale of the Emperor’s map (Lyotard, 1984) as a metaphor to explore the way principals’ work is being influenced by specific sets of data compiled by the department. These data profiles are representative of external accountabilities and high stakes testing regimes, as seen in systems that have adopted neoliberal policies which attempt to quantify the work being undertaken in schools. The paper demonstrates that principals are being constructed in part by discourses from a system that emphasises these system-generated performance data as a driver for school improvement.

Keywordsschool principals; school improvement; data, performativity
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020390201. Education policy
390403. Educational administration, management and leadership
Public Notes

Paper awarded Postgraduate Student Researcher Award.

Byline AffiliationsSchool of Teacher Education and Early Childhood
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q35q1/the-emperor-s-perfect-map-leadership-by-numbers-and-cartesian-effects

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