Implementing the National Quality Standard in schools: leadership that motivates improvement initiatives through psychological ownership

Abstract From 2016, all Western Australian schools were mandated to implement the National Quality Standard (NQS) in Kindergarten through Year 2. Over first year of implementation, this mandate had varying degrees success adoption. This study examined four which identified as having implemented NQS. A qualitative methodology was employed examine those factors that supported implementation. key finding integral role played by distributed leadership adopting new initiatives. Using Activity Theory conceptualise data, it found psychological ownership a factor enabling leadership. Ownership enabled when community differences acknowledged, and time given for NQS tool be reassessed reconfigured one’s own. Once staff ownership, they more likely support implementation has implications leaders implementing or other initiatives schools.