Abstract
Each school in Australia strives to create an environment in which all students have equal access to quality education which can enable them to become successful contributors to society. This paper aims to examine the research on the effect of leadership and teachers on student achievement. It will examine the research on leadership styles and the effects that leadership has on teachers and student achievement.
Introduction
Australia, like most developed nations, has seen dramatic educational reforms over the past 60 years, with the desire to improve student achievement and create a productive workforce and economy. Our education system “must allow each individual to reach their potential regardless of their economic means and enable them to live a life of meaning and purpose” (Teaching Talent). The shift in educational practice has been a result of a greater understanding of what actually impacts students achievement. The 1960’s to present day has seen a significant shift in the idea that student achievement is solely dependent on the social background of the student to the current view that schools via teachers and leadership can have a significant effect on student achievement. The teacher has the greatest impact on student learning but a teacher does not exist in isolation. The principal plays a significant role in providing high impact policies and practices which support teachers and therefore indirectly has an impact on student achievement.
Research
The responsibility of preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s future involves more than orchestrating the curriculum students learn and the teachers who teach it. It involves the ability to employ the leadership styles fluently based on the everyday demands of running a school (Goleman, 2000). Informed by both research and real-world application, the Wallace Foundation identified five key functions of a successful leader: “shaping a vision of academic success for all students, creating a climate hospitable to education, cultivating leadership in others, improving instruction, [and] managing people, data, and processes to foster school improvement” (Harvey, 2013, pg. 4). To be an effective 21st century educational leader, one must cultivate a sustainable vision and school culture which are globally-minded, yet locally applicable to the community they serve.
The “Investigating the link to improved student learning Final report of research findings” reported that transformational leadership practiced on student achievement had a weaker effect as to the effect of collective leadership. It is more beneficial to students if leadership is widely spread in a school.
There is a great volume of literature on the need for effective leadership skills among tutors in order to promote student learning through quality instruction. As mentioned in the previous chapter, this realization is significant for many reasons. As such, this chapter reinforces the research question through a critical analysis of the existing literature with the aim of coming up with a different line of thought. As such, the study could offer a new dimension of leadership perception that is appropriate in fostering student learning in the modern and changing school setting. Although such characteristics are common across various sectors, the findings of this research put focus specifically on educators with the purpose of improving the quality of education and improved curriculum outcomes. The study could also employ various leadership theories to ensure the achievement of reliable findings.
The leaders and managers are the pillars of any educational setting on which the success and failure of the setting depend. Before discussing the leadership and
Palmer Lake Elementary School refers to a public elementary school located in Brooklyn Park. The school has 678 students with majority being Whites and non-Hispanics. The teachers; population is between 40 and 50 teachers: 6 speech teacher, two reading teacher, 3 gym physical, two music teachers, 28 for regular classes, one media. Accordingly, the ratio of students to teachers is approximately 15:1. Each class has varying number of students ranging from 19 to 28 students. Approximately 54 percent of the students are male and 46 percent are female. The percentage of students eligible for subsidized lunch is 65. This essay examines the leadership skills and styles of Dr. Tim Brown after an interview in his office. Dr. Tim is the principal of Palmer Lake Elementary School and plays the following roles. First, he shapes the vision of academic success and instructional competence for all students and teachers respectively. Second, he plays the role of creating a climate and environment that is hospitable for learning. Third, he cultivates leadership in other teachers. Fourth, he is answerable to external stakeholders such as parents and state education authorities concerning the school’s performances and use of resources. Effective educational leadership is a continuous process that involves self-examination, learning from others, collaboration and sustainable use of resources to accomplish the goals and
I think and every successful teacher will agree with me that promoting the success of every student is the main value of any educational professional and it is very important for a leader to demonstrate these traits. What is leadership? Some people think that it is good to be a boss and it is easy to rule any organization. Leadership is more than just to rule any organization. It is the development of a practice around a mission or vision and an ability to inspire others to do the same. There are three sets of practices make up this basic core of successful leadership practices: setting directions, developing people and redesigning the organization. Foster (1989) says, “Leadership differs from conventional administration in much the same way that education differs from training (p.10).” This speaks to results- to the why of teaching. And the value of a leader can be determined by their results. If their aim is high-quality education (an admittedly vague term), academic success, and well-being of each student then this is the standard by which they should be judged. Burns admonishes that “power and leadership are measured by the degree of
Using the 21 leadership responsibilities, which are based in research as being correlated with student achievement as the basis for a strong and balanced leadership framework. What has become clear to me is that just as we ask teachers to be intentional and show the purpose of their lessons, we too as leaders need to be very clear about creating a purposeful learning community. In their interviews with principals, it was said that none were outstanding leaders when they started. It was the only attained by working hard overtime. Patters started to emerge across these highly successful leaders and through qualitative analysis six common traits were identified: deep conviction & moral purpose, a selfless, iron will to improve performance, a deep reservoir of optimism, emotional intelligence & relationship building, a commitment to self-improvement and less mystery, more
The first book assigned to me for my capstone leadership book is Trust matters: Leadership for successful schools. This book details three principals and how each of them has different leadership styles when it comes to developing trust. This book puts trust from leadership positions in perspective from the three case studies point of views. In my years of teaching I have experienced all three types of leaders in this book. As a future administrator I want to strive to be like Brenda. I want to be a balanced leader, but at this time I find myself being more like Fred. I will have to develop my skills to not shy away from conflict all the time when I’m in my leadership role. I have to figure out how to balance the peace keeper mentality of Fred and the overzealousness of Gloria to become the balanced Brenda from the case studies. I want my staff to trust me and I want to instill trust into them so they have a sense of comfort in doing their jobs and being leaders themselves on campus.
This paper explores numerous published articles discussing research on implications of different leadership techniques and effective school systems. Discussions of various leadership strategies and their real-world applications within school systems are implemented throughout this paper along with considerations of teacher retention and multiculturalism. Personal experience is also a key element of discussion in this paper. With all faculty and staff of school systems considered and being represented.
In order to make a difference in schools, we must first assess our problem areas and determine which weaknesses need support in order to ultimately boost student achievement. West Middle School suffers from a lack of innovative and research-based teaching strategies. It is not uncommon to walk up and down the halls and observe students sitting in straight rows and working on decade-old worksheets or drowning in the traditional lecture setting. This problem is compacted by our current administrator, who regularly demonstrates a Laissez-Faire leadership style. He tends to be hands off and trusts that his staff is making the best possible decisions they can for the students they serve. However, our achievement data and school culture are suffering as a result of this “status quo is dandy” approach. Administrators are becoming less managerial, and alternatively are required to take on a more significant role of instructional leaders. An instructional leader would serve West well. In order to make a real difference in my school, I need to possess teacher-leader traits that are grounded in leadership research, as I strive to inspire and direct action of my colleagues during times of change
It is vital to the success of our schools, including student learning, that school leaders have the skills, abilities and knowledge to lead effectively throughout the school environment. There is a limited amount of research available to assist school districts with the selection of appropriate professional development activities for administrators (Grissom & Harrington, 2010). The Wallace Foundation has researched the area of school leadership since 2000 and has published more than 70 reports on the subject (2013, p.5). Through their research work the Wallace Foundation is clear on the depths of the school leadership role and its complexities. The work through the Wallace Foundation states leadership is only second to classroom instruction among factors which impact student learning (Wallace Foundation, 2013, p. 5). Harvey and Holland (2012) in another Wallace Foundation research paper found improving school leadership ranks high on the list of priorities for school reform.
Leadership can be difficult to define because it has different meanings dependent on the audience. As an administrator, it is important to assist teachers in educating students’ growth of knowledge and help them understand that learning is a continuous process. Learning is not something that happens overnight, but something that happens as a result of continuous practice and the development of skills in a classroom. In my experience, teachers act as guides to field questions, provide logical directions to assignments, and help students have confidence. These are three important factors that have influenced my decision to become an administrator. This positive leadership philosophy of education believes that the purpose of schooling is to provide an opportunity for all students to acquire a quality education in a safe, nurturing, and positive environment. Education is the sole means for breaking down barriers. Finding the appropriate leadership style
"An expanding base of knowledge from research and practice shows that educational leaders exert influence on student achievement by creating conditions conducive to each student's learning. They relentlessly develop and support teachers, effectively allocate resources, construct organizational policies and systems, and engage in other deep and meaningful work outside of the classroom that has a
While there is no denying that principals play the primary role of setting the directions of a school and conveying this vision to staff, students and stakeholders (OLF 2.2.1), teacher-leaders also contribute to activities that serve to ensure that the school community is working towards a common goal and that the vision for the school becomes a reality. While the principal and school improvement plan may state the goals for the school, it is the teachers within that school that actively contribute to the fulfilment of the goals.
The concept and practice of teacher leadership have gained momentum in the past two decades. Teachers are assuming more leadership functions at both instructional and organizational levels of practice. Empirical literature reveals effects of teacher leadership practice, teacher leader characteristics, and conditions that promote and challenge teacher leadership.