Critically Analysing The Challenges Of Educational Leadership In

Critically Analysing The Challenges Of Educational Leadership In Critically Analysing The Challenges Of Educational Leadership In Practice â€" Essay Example > KEY CHALLENGES WITHIN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP It is beyond doubt that educational leadership in the 21st century is tremendously changing. Administration, school leaders are policymakers of learning institution are endeavoring to redefine this profession in the present era of ferment, a time at which the suitability of programs for preparing student leaders and legitimacy of its base of knowledge have been questioned. More than ever, at present, leaders are in hot seat to ensure that there is significant improvement in learning and teaching. Various question have arose concerning the future leadership in learning institution, practices and theories that should be implemented to turn all the performing schools into effective and good performing schools. Nevertheless, innovative answers to some important questions are being explored by educators and researchers alike (Elmore, 2000). Fresh foundations and bases for educational leadership should be less based on the various activities of the school leaders and concentrate more on the positive valued ends of leadership in schools. It is noted that educational leadership is changing due to trends that are emerging in reforms in schools and therefore, novel understandings of effective educational leadership will eventually emerge and all stakeholders should share these understandings (Fullan, 2002). It is undoubted that due to the rapid socio-economic changes, education faces major challenges mainly in its curriculum, external relations, mission focus, governance system, finance and research. To some extent it has not been able to meet the demands of modernization, industrialization, learning needs of individual and international integration in various countries. It has been a great concern how the educational leaders are straining to meet the everyday needs of diverse population of students. In addition, restraints and pressure from the external are also felt by the leaders Effective educational leadership is vit al in all institutions. It is a major factor that affects high performance in schools. Attitudes and behaviors do play a significance role in effective educational leadership. The attitude will influence the stakeholders’ behavior and attitude in the day to day running of the institutions. Positive and good behaviors will also increase good performance among the learners as they will be motivated by their educational leaders (Fullan, 2002) Support, facilitating learning and teaching and implementing strategies that do focus on the school improvement, is a central element in ensuring effective educational leadership as they play a significance role in the smooth running of institution activities. The leaders should be motivated and empowered by the stakeholders as this will assist them in being efficient and effective in their roles. The educational leaders should also be committed as a leader in running various roles and responsibility as stated by the rules. In order to build a sustainable learning culture, there is need for very new leader to gain understanding not only the brilliant practice but also how to foster trust and dialogue within schools and also between communities that the schools serve and schools themselves. In addition, schools staffs should be given enough leadership training in order for them to learn the duration needed to effect changes leading to a sustainable learning culture. In support of school leaders, educational researchers must be informed about novel findings on leadership. Linking practice and research is another concept that will increase a well sustainable culture (Lierberman Miller, 2004). Improvement in schools should be conducted in a way to show that leaders who are expertise in the principles of democratic community, improvement and social justice have made worth differences in school quality and achievement. Furthermore, knowledge of effective school change and leadership must be practice in classrooms. The leader s should be able to address all practical issues and challenges of creating democratic, creating high achievement and just schools, that is, socially. There should be collaboration in the learning institution. Educational leaders should ensure that specific knowledge on working together is learned and taught. The educational leaders to should be in the forefront to ensure that all different groups in the institution are involved together in the major roles of achieving set objectives in the institution. It is also important that the educational leaders should develop knowledge and skills that will foster and increase community involvement in the learning improvement. This may be done through partnership and outreach especially in the areas of equity and social justice.