Institute, new degree program focus on school leadership
May 28, 2008
As budgets tighten, enrollments swell and policy continues to shape every aspect of education, Auburn University is striving to equip K-12 administrators with the tools needed to lead within today's demanding environment. The Educational Leadership Summer Institute
 , which is scheduled June 2-4, will bring administrators from across the state to address issues of school accountability and quality systems.
The inaugural institute is an effort by faculty in AU's Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology—within the College of Education—and supported by the university's Outreach Program Office
 . Institute coordinators plan to help participants identify the behaviors of an accountable school leader and how administrators can employ instructional, moral, value-added and transformational leadership in establishing quality systems, improving student learning and addressing school accountability.
It will also introduce school leaders to the department's newly redesigned, state-approved K-12 master's-level Instructional Leadership Preparation Program (ILPP). As one of only three programs of its kind currently approved by the Alabama School Board, ILPP will equip graduates with the knowledge and skills necessary to craft effective schools and continually improve the environment for effective education in those schools.
Recruited from among the best-qualified instructional leaders in the nation, ILPP faculty are working with 15 school-based coaches from eight school districts to teach, advise and mentor cohorts of no more than 25 students. During the accelerated, one-year program, students will engage in intensive field-based experiences and comprehensive assessments. This is quite relevant, as a recent study by the department indicates that more than 1,500
Alabama school principals are planning their retirements to occur within the next five years.
"Research demonstrates that the principal is the key element in school success," said Dr. Jose Llanes, head of the Department of Educational Foundations, Leadership and Technology. "The principal can change schools and change lives. Our students, our state and our nation need educational leaders who can help our schools excel."
The institute will begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 2 at Opelika Middle School Auditorium. Participants—K-12 principals and superintendents—will spend the next two days in benefiting from speakers and panels. Featured speakers include:
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Mrs. Sarah Newton, principal, Fayette Elementary School and trustee, Auburn University Board of Trustees, conference keynote (Monday, 1:15 p.m.)
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Ms. Debbie Beebe, principal of Auburn's Drake Middle School and 2007 Alabama secondary principal of the year, "Being an Effective Accountable Leader" (Monday, 1:45 p.m.)
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Dr. Michael Dantley, associate dean, Miami University (Ohio) College of Education, "The New Spirit of Educational Leadership: Embracing While Transforming the Purposes of K-12 Education" (Monday, 2:50 p.m.)
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Dr. Joe Morton, state superintendent, Alabama State Department of Education, "Initiatives for Alabama Schools: Current and Future" (Wednesday,12:15 p.m.)
In all, the institute will feature 16 presenters and panelists. The institute agenda, listing the speakers and topics, is available online
.
"Leadership in education at the K-12 level is vital in preparing students to be successful in college and life; however, in today's environment of high accountability and low funding, that leadership is critical," said Dr. Frances Kochan, AU's dean of education. "We must do all we can to provide current administrators with the support they need while allowing future
administrators to learn from the present as they prepare for the future. This institute and our ILPP will do that."
Llanes and Kochan expect the institute to be an annual event that will continue addressing contemporary issues relevant to K-12 school administration and bringing together administrators to share their challenges and successes. It will also prove to be a valuable component in the training of future administrators pursuing their master's degrees in instructional leadership.
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