arbiter
JournalsAccount

Reflections on a decade of a school–university partnership: graduates’ perceptions of long-term program influence

Nathern S. A. Okilwa & Bruce G. Barnett

Journal of Educational Administration2026https://doi.org/10.1108/jea-02-2025-0052article
AJG 1ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Purpose This study examined the perspectives of graduates of a long-standing partnership between a university school leadership preparation program and a local school district. Design/methodology/approach Two main research questions guided this qualitative study: (1) What are the benefits of participating in a leadership preparation partnership? and (2) What are the challenges of participating in a leadership preparation partnership? Focus groups were conducted with 31 program graduates. Their responses were analyzed, and themes and sub-themes were identified. Findings Benefits included engaging in influential tasks and activities, altering their perspectives and practices, and sustaining cohort relationships; challenges were coping with work-life balance, course demands and changing program expectations. Originality/value This study adds to our understanding of the advantages and liabilities of forging long-lasting school-university partnerships to strengthen a school district’s leadership candidate pool.

Open via your library →

Cite this paper

https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jea-02-2025-0052

Or copy a formatted citation

@article{nathern2026,
  title        = {{Reflections on a decade of a school–university partnership: graduates’ perceptions of long-term program influence}},
  author       = {Nathern S. A. Okilwa & Bruce G. Barnett},
  journal      = {Journal of Educational Administration},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/jea-02-2025-0052},
}

Paste directly into BibTeX, Zotero, or your reference manager.

Flag this paper

Reflections on a decade of a school–university partnership: graduates’ perceptions of long-term program influence

Flags are reviewed by the Arbiter methodology team within 5 business days.

Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.