Synthesis of a Policy Forum on Educational Leadership
This booklet explores the major issues involved in creating effective leadership for today's schools. It summarizes the deliberations of 43 participants involved in a 2-day forum on educational leadership. Participants included superintendents, principals, and teachers from urban, suburban, and rural school districts, as well as prominent researchers in education leadership, state policymakers, education consultants, professional development specialists, education officials, and others. The forum used a seminar approach in which leading practitioners and researchers made brief presentations that included information about successful schools and districts; the presentations were followed by discussions that focused on select questions, such as What is the definition of an effective leader for today's schools? and Which practices do successful leaders use to improve teaching and learning? The forum found that educational leaders' jobs are changing dramatically and that today's schools demand new kinds of skills and knowledge from leaders, including skills that many current educators have not mastered. Successful districts around the U.S. are testing new models of leadership that bring together superintendents and others to do cross-role work on improving instruction. Some newer, effective models for professional development give people practical opportunities to build instructional leadership and other important skills in real school contexts. Contains a list of participants. (RJM)
The forum used a seminar approach in which leading practitioners and researchers made brief presentations that included information about successful schools and districts; the presentations were followed by discussions that focused on ...
