Resumen: Este artículo indagó en el rol de directoras(es) recién nombrados en sus cargos justo antes del confinamiento por la COVID-19. Mediante entrevistas a directoras(es) de ocho escuelas básicas en condición de desventaja socioeducativa, se realizó un análisis de contenido para conocer sus decisiones para enfrentar la contingencia. Los resultados muestran que algunas escuelas lograron armonizar las condiciones mínimas para operar en la emergencia y una preocupación por mejorar aspectos pedagógicos. La preparación para el cambio fue mayor en los casos en que primero el director(a) movilizó un componente emocional, lo que posibilitó realizar acciones concretas. Se concluye que las culturas organizacionales mejor preparadas para el cambio pudieron responder con mayor facilidad a la propuesta del director(a), sobre todo cuando estuvo marcada por un foco pedagógico.

Abstract: This study researched the role of directors appointed shortly before the COVID-19 lockdown. Interviews were held with directors from eight elementary schools at a socio-educational disadvantage, and content analysis was used to discover their decisions for addressing the contingency. The results show that some schools were able to attain the minimum conditions for operating in the emergency, and demonstrated a concern for improving pedagogical aspects. Readiness for change was the greatest when the director first mobilized an emotional component, enabling concrete actions. The conclusion is that the organizational cultures best prepared for change responded with greater ease to the director's proposals, especially when they had a pedagogical focus.

RESUMEN: “Preparación para el cambio” -PPC- es un término con el que se busca comprender las variables que explican una mejor disposición y participación de las personas y grupos en cambios orientados a la mejora educativa. Este poco explorado concepto dispone de potencialidades para ampliar la comprensión sobre estrategias efectivas de liderazgo y gestión para implementar la mejora. Se realizó una revisión de literatura de investigaciones que estudiaran la PPC en instituciones educativas. Se seleccionaron y analizaron trece artículos, considerando las formas en que se conceptualiza este término, los diseños metodológicos desde los que se aborda su estudio y sus hallazgos.

ABSTRACT: “Readiness for change” -RFC- is a concept that seeks to understand the variables that explain a better disposition and participation of individuals and groups in changes aimed at educational improvement. This little-known concept has the potential to broaden understanding of effective leadership and management strategies to implement improvement. A review of the research literature that studied RFC in educational institutions was carried out. Thirteen articles were selected and analyzed, considering the ways in which this term is conceptualized, the methodological designs from which its study is approached, and its findings.

Abstract: Rural schools face special challenges to strengthen the formation of students, due to particularities inherent to the area and its relationship to the educational system, among other variables. This article offers a review of scientific articles to describe research in this field and identify the current challenges faced by teaching and professional teacher development. The review considered 26 indexed articles in Web of Science, WoS, considering the methodological approaches to the phenomenon, their research focal points and main deficits and particularities. Finally, new projected research paths are proposed considering the specificities of different contexts.

Resumen: Las escuelas rurales presentan desafíos especiales para potenciar la formación de sus estudiantes, debido a las particularidades propias del territorio y de la relación con el sistema educativo, entre otras variables. El artículo presenta una revisión de artículos científicos para caracterizar la investigación en este campo e identificar sus actuales desafíos para la enseñanza y el desarrollo profesional docente. La revisión consideró 26 artículos indexados en Web of Science, WoS, atendiendo a las aproximaciones metodológicas del fenómeno, sus focos de investigación y principales déficit y particularidades. Finalmente, se proponen caminos para proyectar la investigación atendiendo a las especificidades de diversos contextos.

Resumo: O avanço na pesquisa sobre melhoria educacional tem gerado consenso acerca da necessidade de prestar mais atenção ao contexto no qual se desenvolve, bem como aos múltiplos níveis e participantes envolvidos. Nesta estrutura analítica, foi conduzido um estudo para identificar como as trajetórias de melhoria vivenciadas por escolas podem ajudar a compreender seus pontos fortes e fragilidades. Foram realizados oito estudos de caso em diferentes tipos de escolas chilenas, levando em conta suas características socioeconômicas e de desempenho acadêmico. Inicialmente este estudo avaliou a presença de atributos de melhoria educacional nas escolas. A seguir, foram conduzidas análises em profundidade das quatro escolas que alcançaram os escores mais elevados na avaliação. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foi elaborado um modelo explicativo para descrever as trajetórias de melhoria educacional das escolas analisadas. Este modelo envolve três estágios (trazer ordenamento, alcançar organização, e melhorar o ensino-aprendizagem), sendo que cada um inclui um processo principal.

Abstract: Progress in educational improvement research has generated consensus about the need to pay closer attention to the context within which it develops as well as to the multiple levels and participants involved in it. Within that analytic framework, a study was conducted to identify how the improvement trajectories experienced by schools can help understand their current scenario of strengths and weaknesses. Eight case studies were carried out in different types of Chilean schools, considering their socioeconomic and academic achievement characteristics. First, this study assessed the presence of educational improvement attributes in the schools. Following this, in-depth analyses of the trajectories of the four schools that attained the highest scores in the assessment were conducted. With the results obtained, an explanatory model was generated to describe the educational improvement trajectories of the schools that were analyzed. This model involves three stages (bring order; achieve organization, and improve teaching-learning), each of which includes one main process.

This article discusses various ways in which accountability mechanism has been incorporated into the educational policies of a group of countries as a strategy for educational improvement. A study on the design and the level of presence of this mechanism as a strategy that seeks to promote educational improvement was made. The comparative analysis of the cases showed that only some of them have pure types of educational accountability. The remaining cases have incorporated other strategies and educational principles into their policies or reversed on the centrality that was given to accountability, as strategy to promote educational improvement.

Este artículo analiza diferentes formas en que el mecanismo de accountability ha sido incorporado en las políticas educacionales de un grupo de países, como estrategia para el mejoramiento educativo. Para cada caso de estudio, se realizó un análisis del diseño, nivel de presencia de este mecanismo y su uso para promover mejoramiento. El análisis comparado mostró que solo algunos casos cuentan con tipologías puras de accountability. El resto, ha incorporado otras estrategias y principios educativos en sus diseños de políticas, o retrocedió en la centralidad que había entregado accountability como apuesta para favorecer el mejoramiento educativo.