The Principle of Coherence: The Coherent Principal, 5(12)

Abstract

The practices of school leaders who apply the principle of coherence to their decision making were studied. The principle of coherence translates reflective practice into a framework for analyzing a school leader’s decision making. A case study of a Catholic school principal provides an explicit example of the principle of coherence. An analysis of the case study provides insight into contemplative practice (Schuttloffel, 1999b). Next a public school principal personifies school leaders who adhere to beliefs central to democratic citizenship. The principle of coherence portrays how school leaders purposefully transmit a moral code to members of their school community.