Journal of Scholarship & Practice Articles
Please Note: AASA’s Journal of Scholarship and Practice will sunset with the Fall 2026 issue.
For over 20 years, AASA has published the academic journal as a refereed, blind-reviewed, quarterly journal focused on research and evidence-based practice in educational leadership. The journal publishes in the areas of academic achievement, instructional leadership, accountability, educational leadership and school district management. The journal has benefitted AASA members and educators by publishing articles that advance educational administration. Over its lifetime, 208 publications have been published. Since 2015, Dr. Ken Mitchell has donated his time and talent as editor of the Journal, ably supported by Barbara Dean. AASA is deeply indebted to this dynamic pair of educators for creating the successful Journal four times per year for over ten years. Archive copies of AASA’s Journal of Scholarship and Practice can be found at aasa.org/jsp.
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October 01, 2026
Reimagining Public Education: Leadership, Learning, and the Shift Toward Human-Centered SchoolsTopics: Leadership Development, School Climate & Culture, Staffing, HR & Talent DevelopmentFinal editorial article by Ken Mitchell, who has served as the fulltime editor for the past 10 years plus an additional two years as associate editor with Chris Tienken. -
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October 01, 2026
Supporting Neurodiverse Learners through Ethical School Design: The Magic City Acceptance Academy as a Model for Inclusive EducationTopics: Access & Opportunity, Ethics, Leadership Development, School Climate & CultureAuthors look at the level of structural and cultural school design, rethinking spaces and disciplinary practices to serve students who don’t fit the traditional mold. -
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October 01, 2026
SMART Skills™: A Research-Informed Framework for Modern Cognition in District Leadership, Instruction, and Student ThinkingTopics: Leadership Development, Technology & AIExamining how district leaders in rural districts are navigating crises, such as teacher shortages, fiscal challenges, and governance conflict, that traditional models weren’t designed to handle. -
October 01, 2026
The Issues and Challenges of Rural Western and Midwestern Superintendents During the 2024-2025 School YearTopics: Leadership Development, School Climate & Culture, Staffing, HR & Talent DevelopmentExamining how district leaders in rural districts are navigating crises, such as teacher shortages, fiscal challenges, and governance conflict, that traditional models weren’t designed to handle. -
October 01, 2026
Rejuvenating Teacher Satisfaction: Collective Efficacy and Instructional TransformationTopics: Leadership Development, School Climate & Culture, Staffing, HR & Talent DevelopmentThis mixed-methods study investigated how a district exclusive cohort-based graduate reading program cultivated collective efficacy and, in turn, shaped teachers’ self-efficacy, instructional practices, and professional renewal. -
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July 01, 2026
Overcoming Barriers: Leadership, Culture, and the Bridge Between Policy and PracticeTopics: District & School Operations, Leadership DevelopmentOvercoming today's education reform challenges requires purposeful leadership paired with supportive culture and mindset. -
July 01, 2026
Higher Purpose in Leading Deeper LearningType:Article Topics: Leadership Development, School Climate & CultureHow school leaders foster "deeper learning" through higher purpose, distributed leadership, collaboration, and sustained cultural conditions like trust and psychological safety. -
July 01, 2026
Overcoming Barriers to Restorative Practices Implementation: What District Leaders Can DoType:Article Topics: District & School Operations, Health & Wellness, School Climate & CultureThis research identifies five themes (investments, policy, data, mindset shifts, and alignment) that help or hinder districts' implementation of restorative practices. -
July 01, 2026
Supporting Assistant Principals as Inclusive Educators Focused on Their Leadership Growth, Development, and Pipeline to the PrincipalshipType:Article Topics: Leadership Development, Staffing, HR & Talent DevelopmentEvidence-based practice article describing the Virginia Assistant Principal Institute, a professional learning program built around six leadership competencies to prepare APs for the principalship. -
July 01, 2026
Practical and Timely: The Journals Public School Principals ReadType:Article Topics: Leadership DevelopmentResearch shows public school principals mostly read practical, member-organization publications rather than peer-reviewed academic journals.