Educational Leaders Challenges The educational environment is one that is built and founded on principles that were created in the 20th century. Its roots stem from this earlier century as well as from even more historic time periods. Most recently, demand for 21st century skills has created vast excitement and interest (Reeves, 2013). However, the curriculum and the assessment process that is currently being practiced in the learning environment is one that continues to be utilized with through the foundational basis of earlier centuries. While the desire and the urgency for 21st century skills is highly publicized, curriculum continues to be rooted in that of 20th century practices and current assessment practices struggle to advance from those procedures conducted as far back as the 16th century through the use of multiple choice tests established during the Ming dynasty in China (Reeves, 2013). Desire for advancements in both curriculum and assessment practices pale in comparison to the inadequate and sincere pledge to modern learning. This paper reviews the presence of three challenges that face educational leaders today: assessment gap, teaching gap, and leadership gap. Each one of these challenges critically impact the learning environment of the current educational system and it is vital that each one be identified, addressed, and corrected so that its presence can be minimized and its effects neutralized. Challenge #1: The Assessment Gap While there has been much debate on the skills needed for modern day effectiveness, there are a few that can be adequately determined as vital and necessary for personal and organizational advancement. First, the need for effective communication is vital to the successful ... ... middle of paper ... ...f the actual benefit to its inclusion. It is in this way that leadership could have better addressed my concerns and my eagerness to promote the well being of my team and my store. Works Cited Bartalo, D. G. (2013). The teaching gap. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/47088_Bartalo___Ch1.pdf. Jaschik, S. (2009). The assessment gap. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/12/11/assess. Kouzes, J. & Posner, B. (2008). The leadership challenge. (4th Ed.). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Reeves, D. B. (2013). Three challenges for education leaders. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/ascd-express/vol5/507-reeves.aspx. Skinner, R. A. (2011). The leadership gap to come. Retrieved from http://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2011/09/28/skinner_essay_on_advice_for_university_boards_to_prepare_for_coming_leadership_gap.
Lashinger et al highlights the need for communication within leadership as effective communication is essential to influence change and motivate others. Emphasising the need for communicating effectively towards all staff members, whilst undergoing change to ensure all staff feel supported and understand the process, allowing implementation to be more successful.
Leading organizations of school administrators offer educators various opportunities to encourage educators to become leaders. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has mandated that leaders be better prepared for the task of providing quality education to all. NCLB “… is forcing all educational stakeholders to face the weakness of contemporary school leadership and is making it impossible to ignore the need for higher quality principals” (Hale & Moorman, 2003, p.1). It is believed that all educators can be and are leaders in their own right. A leader is a visionary and has the ability to inspire others to aspire to greatness. Of the numerous opportunities that are offered, those that are most beneficial include but are not limited to leadership training programs, professional development, and creating shared leadership opportunities for teachers to become leaders. The systems “…that produce our nation’s principals are complex and interrelated – and governed by the states. Each state establishes licensing, certification and re-certification” (Hale & Moorman, 2003, p.1). States use the ISLLC standards “…as the framework for preparation programs and in service professional development of school superintendents, principals, and other leaders” (Hale & Moorman, 2003, p.3).
Pierce, Jon L. and John W. Newstrom (2011) 6th edition. Leaders and the Leadership Process.
Kouzes, J., & Posner, B., (2007). The leadership challenge, (4th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-
Mlls, D. Q. (2005). Leadership How to Lead, How to Live. Boston: Harvad Business School Press.
Northouse, P. (2010). Leadership: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2012). The leadership challenge: How to make extraordinary
Leaders is an effective tool for summarizing and inspiring leadership, not in that it teaches tough strategies and manipulations, but that when looking at an overview of its content, Bennis and Nanus are essentially teaching human relations and human decency. All in all, this book highlights strategies for us all to be better in our lives and our everyday interactions.
Daniel, K. (1995). The Learning and Teaching Environment. Available: http://tecfa.unige.ch/tecfa/research/CMC/andrea95/node4.html. Last accessed 29 OCT 2011.
Therefore, educators should know how to provide the environment and knowledge for students in a way which is suitable to the current social development. P21 Document includes lots of information which is very useful for educators and students who is major in education. For example, it summarizes the “assessment of 21st century skills” (p. 8). This is the content I never touched with.
Furthermore, excellent communication skills are essential for effective performance management [U.S. office of personnel management 2016]. The need for continuous dialogue is essential. Managers should create an atmosphere which is conducive for interaction and work. So that colleagues can be able to share information on the organization’s mission, values and objectives. This leads to efficient and effective performance which contributes in meeting the goals of the organisation
middle of paper ... ... References Farr, S. (2010). The 'Standard'. Teacher leadership: The highly effective teacher guide to closing the gap. achievement gap.
Lussier, R.N. & Achua, C.F. (2010). Leadership: Theory, application, skill development (5th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western.
Education is of the essence. It is a process in which an individual acquires knowledge. It is what helps us survive in this cruel world. Unfortunately, the system of education has become a complete mess for everybody. Almost every day you’ll hear another issue about it on the news and on the internet. There are many challenges facing schools, teachers and students and there are many educational philosophies about how to address these issues.
Education is a very important aspect in the life of a child. The level of success a student has in the classroom is greatly influenced by their teachers. Students, as well as their parents, depend on the teachers to guide them through their education. But who guides a teacher to perform successfully in the classroom? Principals and teachers play an important role in schools. A good relationship among school leaders and teachers is necessary and play an important role in making improvements in the school. Leadership refers to the “process in which one person successfully exerts influence over others to reach desired objectives”. (Okoji, 2015) Good leadership involves honesty, vision, confidence and commitment. It is the ability to inspire a