THE ROLE OF EDUCATION LEADERS

The Role of Education Leaders

Role Of Education Leaders In Critique And Reform Of Education

Reforming education isn't an easy task. Scholars for years have tried to find the best ways to shove knowledge into our minds. Every year we buy fresh pencils and journals just so we can go learn the same information, the only thing that's different this time is that we look at it from a new perspective, and try to learn with a deeper insight on the subject. All subjects are the same, whether its mathematics, reading or sciences, there's always a harder way to find the simplest solutions. Some blame the television for breaking our concentration, some would say that we don't eat the right foods so on and so forth. These so called 'conclusions' are desperate attempts to get a personal opinion well known. Our own government can't agree on a solution to reform our education system.

(1) Who controls the schools? Who makes the policies that govern schools? Who determines the ethical, social, and economic goals of education? Who sets the curriculum? Who determines instructional materials used in a school/classroom?

There is no question that US schools are becoming increasingly culturally diverse. It is estimated that, at present, more than half of the students in urban schools are minorities (Orfield, 2001). By the year 2050, more than half of the US population will be other than non-Hispanic White (Marx, 2002). As cultural diversity becomes a greater factor in schools cultural awareness on the part of teachers and educational leaders is becoming imperative. The role of leaders is often perceived as the ultimate authority figure, decision-maker, problem-solver and traditional leadership approaches continue to ignore the demographic changes. Maxcy (2002) observes that, Entire genres of educational administration research and writing have overlooked these culture shifts (p.50). Approaches to leadership and diversity continue to be prescriptive in nature, listing the many qualities necessary for effective change in schools, however, most approaches fall short by failing to explain how to develop these qualities within leaders. Cases of successful leadership in diverse settings not only depend on the style of leadership, but the principal's ability to promote diversity on a daily basis. School leadership has the critical role of making certain of inclusive teaching approaches that encourage culturally relevant teaching practices and implementing appropriate pedagogical approaches.

Many Democrats also believe in school choice, although they tend to limit choice to public and charter schools. Many Republicans would like to extend school choice to private schools, and this more radical version of school choice is known as school vouchers. The idea was pushed by every Republican administration since Reagan, but so far has not been implemented. The idea is very simple: choice will create competition among schools, and competition will lower costs and improve quality of education for all. This works in other industries, why should it not work in education? The objections against school choice can be reduced to two major ones: (1) It breaches the wall separating church and ...