Conceptualizing a Foundation to Lead a School–University Research Partnership

Research within schools has taken place for decades, yet longstanding skepticism between researchers and practitioners has resulted in hesitation to work together to develop research partnerships. Two school-based leaders and one university researcher sought to conceptualize a foundation for their school–university research partnership. During the initial stages of the partnership development, terminology and interpretation of language used to describe research in schools emerged as both an area of concern and an opportunity for exploration. The partners recognized a need to revise their lexicon from terms that implied teachers needed assistance fixing “problems of practice” to terms promoting an approach embracing innovation and a strengths-based practice in schools. Through an action research approach, the authors draw on their meeting notes, reflections, and documentation to describe the process they used to develop a research-partnership model. Results from this inquiry explicate how partners reflected on their leadership approach, key moments, and a changing context to develop guiding principles and a partnership model with potential for sustainability.