Purpose: This article examines the experiences of urban, public school
principals noted for their instructional leadership and highlights a leadership
approach grounded in a learning imperative. Framework: This article
explores the concept of instructional leadership, defined as attending
to instructional matters, as embedded in an urban public school district
characterized by a managerial context. Based on common themes in the data,
this article adds to the extant literature on leading for learning by putting forth
the concept of a learning imperative for consideration. Research Methods:
This qualitative, interpretive, multicase study of 18 New York City K-12
public school principals applied purposeful sampling by soliciting and vetting
nominations from supervisors, staff, and students/parents. Evidence included
interviews, time surveys, observations, and document analysis. Findings:
Data analysis and interpretation characterized participants’ work contexts
as consistent with a managerial imperative and highlighted limitations to the
phrase “instructional leadership.” Further analysis found that participants
followed a leadership approach grounded in a learning imperative, defined as
a principal’s obligation to prioritize, attend to, and act on matters of learning.
Participants’ perspectives and actions on a learning imperative followed two