James P. Spillane

James P. Spillane is an American educational researcher known for his work on the role of school leadership, policy implementation, and the way educational systems operate. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how knowledge is used in practice within schools and how leaders can influence teaching and learning. Spillane's research often focuses on distributed leadership, which examines how different actors within a school—including teachers and administrators—collaborate to bring about change and improve educational outcomes. His insights help educators and policymakers understand the complexities of leading and motivating within educational environments.