Purpose: This study aims to identify and validate succession planning strategies for elementary school managers, providing a comprehensive framework to support leadership transitions in educational settings. Methodology: This mixed-methods study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative phase involved semi-structured interviews with 25 experts in human resource and educational management, selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key succession strategies. The quantitative phase included a survey of 380 educational managers from Tehran, selected via stratified random sampling. The survey instrument was developed based on the qualitative findings and validated through confirmatory factor analysis. Data were analyzed using SPSS and SmartPLS software. Findings: The qualitative analysis identified seven key strategies for succession planning: familiarization of managers, participation, organizational learning, trust building, foresight, independence of education, and systemic vision. These strategies were supported by detailed actions such as mentoring programs, collaborative decision-making, and continuous professional development. Quantitative analysis confirmed the importance and effectiveness of these strategies, with high mean scores and strong support among respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the reliability and validity of the measurement model for these strategies. Conclusion: The study highlights the critical importance of a multifaceted approach to succession planning in educational management. By implementing strategies such as familiarization, participation, organizational learning, trust building, foresight, independence, and a systemic vision, schools can ensure smooth leadership transitions, maintain organizational stability, and promote continuous improvement. The findings provide a robust framework for educational leaders and policymakers to enhance leadership succession planning in schools.
Arabshahi et al. (Wed,) studied this question.