Abstract:

In this article, the results of the Learning Schools Project, an Erasmus+ innovation Project developed by educational institutions in Bulgaria, Italy, Turkey and Spain, will be presented.

The study addresses a problem common in many European countries: the loss of knowledge and experience when teachers retire, or move to different institutions or countries. This loss occurs because many educational institutions do not possess the mechanisms or systems necessary for the retention and sharing of knowledge.

The aim of this study is to analyze, reflecting on Senge’s systems’ perspective, how change, innovation and leadership is promoted within schools and thus to identify ways to enhance individual, team and organizational learning. The analysis, reflecting the diversity of the cultural, economic and educational contexts of the participants, will provide us with an overview of the characteristics of schools in each country, their best practices and existing levels of knowledge management.

A qualitative methodology consisting of semi-structured personal interviews with experts in the field of education will be used for data collection as well as case studies of educational centres distinguished by their good practice in the fields of innovation, leadership and change management. Findings will lead to the development of an integrated model for schools, and an evaluation instrument to measure and compare achievements and current best practices. We hope that these instruments will benefit all those involved, from researchers and teachers to politicians aiming to reform education systems.

Keywords:

Transformational leadership, systems perspective, educational changeknowledge management, innovation, best practices, evaluation instrument.