Guide on Educational Leadership: Focus on Instructing Methods
The University of West Alabama has launched an online Education Specialist (EdS) in Instructional Leadership program, designed to prepare educators for leadership roles at various levels, including school, district, and state educational administration [1][3]. This program equips future principals or administrators with the skills and knowledge required to lead effectively in educational settings.
The focus of the program is on building strong leaders who can manage schools effectively, improve instructional quality, and foster positive educational outcomes across diverse contexts [2]. It aims to develop leadership capabilities necessary for managing schools and educational organizations, and emphasizes strategies to improve instructional programs and foster academic achievement.
Students gain skills in educational administration, strategic planning, and decision-making, and the program includes certifications required for advanced instructional leadership roles [1][3]. The curriculum covers courses in curriculum design, advanced educational research, school reform models, educational assessment, mentoring strategies, organizational leadership, and more [2].
The program is designed for working professionals, with the online format allowing integration with career and personal commitments [1][3]. It is a pathway for current educators seeking to move into leadership and administrative roles within education.
The EdS degree prepares educators for roles such as school principals, curriculum directors, instructional coaches, and district administrators [2]. The program's curriculum focuses on the skills and knowledge needed to improve instructional programs, understand complex educational issues, and provide strategic vision [2].
Effective instructional leaders have great communication skills, are effective planners, are trustworthy, competent, adept at team building and collaboration, shape the culture, and are optimistic and encouraging to teachers and students [4]. New Leaders identifies six key instructional leadership practices that positively influence student learning, including setting a vision for ambitious instruction, upgrading curriculum and resources, creating data-driven instruction systems, providing equitable access for interventions, developing systems for professional development and collaboration, offering coaching to teachers, and inspiring action and optimism [5].
Instructional leaders rely on research to identify and employ the best instructional practices [5]. The program helps candidates develop expertise and leadership competencies, and students are linked one-on-one with a mentor to build networks and develop better leadership skills [1][3].
The quality of instructional leadership affects individual student and school success [6]. Unfortunately, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports a downward trend in student outcomes in Math and Reading Assessments for students in grades 4 and 8 [6]. Strong instructional leadership can help reverse these trends and improve student outcomes [6].
In conclusion, the University of West Alabama’s EdS Instructional Leadership program offers a comprehensive and flexible online education for educators seeking to move into leadership roles. It provides the skills, knowledge, and certifications necessary to lead effectively in educational settings, and prepares educators for roles such as school principals, curriculum directors, instructional coaches, and district administrators. By focusing on improving instructional programs and fostering academic achievement, the program aims to reverse the downward trend in student outcomes and improve overall educational outcomes.
[1] University of West Alabama. (n.d.). Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership. Retrieved from https://www.uwa.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-of-education-and-professional-studies/education-specialist-instructional-leadership/
[2] University of West Alabama. (n.d.). Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership – Curriculum. Retrieved from https://www.uwa.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-of-education-and-professional-studies/education-specialist-instructional-leadership-curriculum/
[3] University of West Alabama. (n.d.). Education Specialist in Instructional Leadership – Programme Overview. Retrieved from https://www.uwa.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-of-education-and-professional-studies/education-specialist-instructional-leadership-programme-overview/
[4] New Leaders. (2021). The Six Instructional Leadership Practices. Retrieved from https://newleaders.org/resources/the-six-instructional-leadership-practices/
[5] New Leaders. (2021). The Six Instructional Leadership Practices: Research Brief. Retrieved from https://newleaders.org/resources/the-six-instructional-leadership-practices-research-brief/
[6] National Assessment of Educational Progress. (2021). Reading and Mathematics. Retrieved from https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading_math_2019/results/
- This online Education Specialist (EdS) in Instructional Leadership program offered by the University of West Alabama focuses on developing leadership capabilities necessary for managing schools and educational organizations, with a particular emphasis on strategies to improve instructional programs and foster academic achievement.
- The University of West Alabama's EdS Instructional Leadership program aims to equip future principals or administrators with the skills and knowledge required to improve instructional quality, manage schools effectively, and foster positive educational outcomes across diverse contexts.
