To move toward a distributed leadership model, which practice should a principal prioritize?

• A. Creating opportunities for faculty and staff to assume leadership roles based on expertise
• B. Assigning all leadership decisions to the principal
• C. Hiring external consultants to manage all school initiatives
• D. Limiting leadership to department chairs only

Answer: (A)

Distributed leadership involves sharing leadership across staff by recognizing and delegating authority to those who have relevant expertise. When the principal creates opportunities for faculty and staff to step into leadership roles based on what they know well—such as curriculum development, assessments, or student support—the school taps into internal strengths, builds capacity, and fosters a sense of ownership. This approach speeds up improvement because decisions come from practitioners who understand the day‑to‑day work, and staff develop leadership skills that sustain progress beyond any single leader. In contrast, letting the principal make all decisions concentrates control and can slow change; relying on external consultants to manage initiatives bypasses internal expertise and weakens long‑term capacity; and limiting leadership to department chairs excludes many capable educators who could contribute. Therefore, prioritizing leadership opportunities for staff based on their expertise best advances a distributed leadership model.