Governare la complessità: il dirigente scolastico tra accountability e innovazione

In recent decades, the profile of the school principal in Italy has undergone a profound transformation, evolving from an essentially administrative role to a complex figure that integrates educational leadership, organizational skills and managerial skills. The recent introduction of the new evaluation system for school principals (Legislative Decree no. 62/2024) redefines the parameters and objectives of managerial performance, placing the need to combine accountability, educational quality and innovation at the center. The article proposes a reflection articulated around four guidelines: the integration between the pedagogical and managerial dimensions, the analysis of good Italian practices, the comparison with international leadership models and the recognition of the skills valued in successful educational systems. The aim is to outline a critical and prospective picture of the challenges and opportunities that await school management, offering ideas for research, training and professional development.