EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Educational Leadership

Planning Professional Development

Educational leadership planning for professional development is a comprehensive and ongoing strategy used by school districts to support the growth and development of teachers and staff for the benefit of students, as well as for the educational institution. The common denominator for planning sound professional development is the belief that effective leadership is at the heart of every high- quality school (Rhodes & Brundrett, 2009). Effectual professional development provides a foundation of school-based and district goals to achieve student learning. Planning professional development is a collaborative venture that requires commitment from all parties involved (Graczewksi, 2009).

The case study involving Mrs. Rachael Jones illustrates challenges in organizational needs, instructional leadership, practices, and assessment. To succeed in planning professional development, realizing value in the schools mission, vision, and goals is important. From a leadership perspective, the approach deemed most efficient in educating the Professional Development Committee about the latest research on effective professional development will be described. Since the district does not follow a formal professional development policy, consideration will be given for the importance of integrating a new policy; personnel appropriated for involvement in the new development; key components to be included in the mandate of a new policy; and appropriate action steps recommendation for implementation. As the goal of planning professional development is to provide meaningful experiences concerning strategic issues, preparing professionals for the increasing demands of new leadership roles is pertinent to Mrs. Rachael Jones and this school district (Graczewksi, 2009).

From a leadership perspective, what approach would you

take in educating the Professional Development Committee about the latest research on effective professional development? The Professional Development Committee needs to be educated from an Educationist's point of view. It is commendable that the amount of funds that are available for professional development have increased but the manner in which they are being spent is inefficient and lacks the concept of utility. This is a result of the Committee being composed of people who are not educationists. Education is a sensitive field with wide spanning effects and hence the scientific approaches in order to utilize funds are needed. Effective Professional development can only be achieved when educationists are involved who have a sound understanding on where improvements or rectifications are needed. In this regard, Mrs. Jones should make a detailed report in which she allocates the funds as per the requirements. The committee then will need to be presented with this report and an explanation is also to be given in order to make them understand that these valuable funds should be utilized in the optimum manner. The committee, firstly, must be presented with the information regarding the key areas that need funds in order to be improved or rectified. The funds required for each are to be mentioned in the report and approval should be sought from the committee. They need to be explained that education is a scientific field whose progress does not depend on random heavy spending rather it depends upon effective spending ...