Fall 2016: Journal of Scholarship and Practice

For the past two years, as an associate and then co-editor, I have had the opportunity to learn from Chris Tienken. As noted in the recognition, in this voluntary role, Chris has made exceptional contributions to the field of education by ensuring that the ideas and research of scholar-practitioners find their way to school leaders who are responsible for implementing policy that is often not well-formed by research.

Some of the issues have included provocative pieces to stimulate debate while others have provided discussion about the extent or quality of evidence to support or challenge pedagogical, curricular, or institutional initiatives, many of which are being mandated by changes in law or regulation.

The selection of the literature has been done with the purpose of making the journal useful to its readership. These goals will continue. We lead, teach, research, and debate in a time of great uncertainty about the future of schools and how we deliver learning experiences to our children and support those working with them. As a veteran superintendent, principal, and teacher, I have seen much change, and now an associate professor of educational leadership, I am witnessing an emerging generation of school leaders who more than perhaps ever need to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to recognize the reforms that are grounded in research and experience rather than rhetoric and ideology.

While there are many publications that can provide such information to current and future leaders, we are positioned through AASA to have immediate access to district-level school leaders. Knowing the potential impact, it is my intent to continue in the spirit that has been established by Chris Tienken. I also want to invite the readership to participate by making suggestions for topics and for the scholars and practitioners out there to continue to send their work our way. Ken Mitchell, Editor AASA Journal of Scholarship and Practice