School-University Partnerships: The Interactional Work of the Principal in Meetings

Abstract

The notion of "partnership" has been a powerful one in regard to notions of school improvement and educational reform in recent years. The traditional construct that the achievement of children’s potential is primarily the concern of schools has given way to a readiness by other social institutions such as universities to accept some responsibility and to participate in the school education system. As institutions that form part of the educational fabric of our communities, it is logical that universities and schools would establish partnership relationships for a number of purposes. One such purpose, given that a basic role of universities in research, is clearly in the area of developing the knowledge base about all aspects of schooling and, in particular, about learning and teaching