4 research outputs found
Instructional leadership in centralised systems: evidence from Greek high-performing secondary schools
This paper examines the enactment of instructional leadership (IL) in high-performing secondary schools (HPSS), and the relationship between leadership and learning in raising student outcomes and encouraging teachersâ professional learning in the highly centralised context of Greece. It reports part of a comparative research study focused on whether, and to what extent, IL has been embraced by Greek school leaders. The study is exploratory, using a qualitative multiple case design to examine two HPSS in Athens. The research design involved a qualitative approach using several different methods, including semi-structured interviews with school principals, deputy heads, subject teachers and subject advisers, plus observation of leadership practice and meetings and scrutiny of relevant policy documents. The findings show that IL is conceptualised as an informal collaborative leadership practice, interwoven with the official multi-dimension role of Greek principals and their âsemi-ILâ role. In the absence of official IL âactorsâ, teachersâ leadership has been expanding
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Angular selective window systems: Assessment of technical potential for energy savings:
Static angular selective shading systems block direct sunlight and admit daylight within a specific range of
incident solar angles. The objective of this study is to quantify their potential to reduce energy use and peak
demand in commercial buildings using state-of-the art whole-building computer simulation software that
allows accurate modeling of the behavior of optically-complex fenestration systems such as angular
selective systems. Three commercial systems were evaluated: a micro-perforated screen, a tubular shading
structure, and an expanded metal mesh. This evaluation was performed through computer simulation for
multiple climates (Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas), window-to-wall ratios (0.15-0.60), building codes
(ASHRAE 90.1-2004 and 2010) and lighting control configurations (with and without). The modeling of
the optical complexity of the systems took advantage of the development of state-of-the-art versions of the
EnergyPlus, Radiance and Window simulation tools. Results show significant reductions in perimeter zone
energy use; the best system reached 28% and 47% savings, respectively without and with daylighting
controls (ASHRAE 90.1-2004, south facade, Chicago,WWR=0.45). Angular selectivity and thermal
conductance of the angle-selective layer, as well as spectral selectivity of low-emissivity coatings, were
identified as factors with significant impact on performance