<![CDATA[Abstract: This study aims to analyse in depth the learning leadership strategies of school principals in the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum at SMP Negeri 1 Bajo and SMPN 1 Tabang Satu Atap in Luwu Regency. The focus of the study is on how school principals formulate a learning vision, manage instructional programmes, build a collaborative culture, and face the challenges of changing learning and assessment paradigms. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design in two educational units, namely SMP Negeri 1 Bajo and SMP Negeri 1 Tabang Satu Atap. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with the principal, vice principal for curriculum, and teachers, and reinforced with observation and documentation. Data analysis was conducted using Miles and Huberman's interactive model, which includes data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing, accompanied by triangulation of sources to ensure the validity of the findings: (1) collaborative and participatory formulation of a learning vision based on the Merdeka Curriculum; (2) management of instructional programmes through structured academic supervision, authentic assessment training, strengthening of differentiated learning, and ongoing mentoring; (3) developing learning communities as spaces for professional reflection and sharing good practices; and (4) data-based evaluation and monitoring of assessment results and teachers' reflective journals. The main challenges faced include the paradigm shift from conventional assessment to authentic assessment, teachers' time constraints and administrative burdens, and differences in the capacity and readiness of resources in each school. The results of the study indicate that an effective leadership model in the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum is a synthesis of a structural instructional leadership approach that emphasises systems, vision, and instructional management, with an orientation towards improving the quality of teaching that has a direct impact on classroom Keywords: learning leadership, Independent Curriculum, academic supervision, authentic assessment, learning community Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis secara mendalam strategi kepemimpinan pembelajaran kepala sekolah dalam implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka di SMP Negeri 1 Bajo dan SMPN 1 Tabang Satu Atap Kabupaten Luwu. Fokus penelitian bagaimana kepala sekolah merumuskan visi pembelajaran, mengelola program instruksional, membangun budaya kolaboratif, serta menghadapi tantangan perubahan paradigma pembelajaran dan asesmen. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan desain studi kasus pada dua satuan pendidikan, yaitu SMP Negeri 1 Bajo dan SMP Negeri 1 Tabang Satu Atap. Data dikumpulkan melalui wawancara mendalam dengan kepala sekolah, wakil kepala sekolah bidang kurikulum, dan guru, serta diperkuat dengan observasi dan dokumentasi. Analisis data dilakukan menggunakan model interaktif Miles dan Huberman yang meliputi reduksi data, penyajian data, dan penarikan kesimpulan, disertai triangulasi sumber untuk menjamin keabsahan temuan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa strategi kepemimpinan pembelajaran dalam implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka mencakup empat aspek utama, yaitu: (1) perumusan visi pembelajaran berbasis Kurikulum Merdeka secara kolaboratif dan partisipatif; (2) pengelolaan program instruksional melalui supervisi akademik terstruktur, pelatihan asesmen autentik, penguatan pembelajaran berdiferensiasi, serta pendampingan berkelanjutan; (3) pengembangan komunitas belajar sebagai ruang refleksi profesional dan berbagi praktik baik; serta (4) evaluasi dan monitoring berbasis data hasil asesmen dan jurnal reflektif guru. Tantangan utama yang dihadapi meliputi perubahan paradigma penilaian konvensional menuju asesmen autentik, keterbatasan waktu dan beban administratif guru, serta perbedaan kapasitas dan kesiapan sumber daya di masing-masing sekolah. Hasil penelitian mengindikasikan bahwa model kepemimpinan yang efektif dalam implementasi Kurikulum Merdeka merupakan sintesis antara pendekatan struktural instructional leadership yang menekankan sistem, visi, dan pengelolaan instruksional, dengan orientasi peningkatan kualitas pengajaran yang berdampak langsung pada praktik pembelajaran di kelas. Kata kunci: kepemimpinan pembelajaran, Kurikulum Merdeka, supervisi akademik, asesmen autentik, komunitas belajar]]>
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