Instructional Leadership:An Emerging Strategic

Agenda for Improved Learner Achievement

Fe A. Hidalgo, Ph.D

May 25, 2012

Introduction

Low academic achievement levels in basic education continues to be a perennial concern in Philippine schools today and a number of factors have been attributed to the continuing problem – teachers, curriculum, lack of learning resources, the learners themselves, teacher preparation, etc. We have just launched the Philippine K to 12 curriculum which we describe as outcomes focused… and in relation to the topic you have offered to me for discussion in this lecture, let me quickly add instructional leadership-driven.

Quotes

“Philippine education is in crisis” --- Florencio Abad

“Performance indicators reveal high rates of drop-outs across the system, poor performance in national and international achievement tests, poor reading abilities and functional literacy of older students, lack of student preparedness for study in high school and university as revealed in diagnostic tests and entrance exams.”

--- Edilberto De Jesus

“There is the cognition by the business community of declining abilities of Filipino workers in language proficiency, technical skill and ability to think and solve problems.”

---Development Academy of the Philippines

What is instructional leadership? What is the difference between leadership and

management? Who play the role of instructional leadership? What are the roles of instructional leaders? What does research tell us about instructional leadership?

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What is Instructional Leadership?

“Instructional Leadership encompasses---” Those actions that a principal takes or delegates to others, to promote growth in student learning (Debevoise; 1984). It comprises the following tasks:

defining the purpose of schooling setting school-wide goals providing resources needed for learning to occur supervising and evaluating teachers coordinating staff development programs creating collegial relationships with and among teachers

What is the difference between leadership and management?

Leadership Management Are their own persons Are good soldiers Think radically Think incrementally Ask what and why Ask how and when Innovate Administer Inspire trust Ensure efficiency/control Have a long range

perspective Have pragmatic/operational

views Eye the horizon Eye the bottom line Challenge the status quo Sustain the status quo Focus on people and

relationship Focus on structures/systems

and tasks/deliverables Communicate Command Originate Imitate Do the right things Do things right

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Who play the role of instructional leadership?

Provision in RA 9155 (Governance of Basic Education Act 2001) states (The Shift in Locus and Focus of the Leadership Roles of Principal in School Improvement)

“There shall be a school head for all public elementary schools or a cluster thereof. The establishment of integrated schools from existing public elementary and public high schools shall be encouraged.”

The school head, who may be assisted by an assistant school head, shall be both an instructional leader and administrative manager. The school head shall form a team with the school teachers/learning facilitators for delivery of quality educational programs, projects and services. A core of non-teaching staff shall handle the school’s administrative, fiscal and auxiliary services,

1. Setting the mission, vision, goals and objectives of the school;

2. Creating an environment within the school that is conducive to teaching and learning;

3. Implementing the school curriculum and being accountable for higher learning outcomes;

4. Developing the school education program and school improvement plan;

5. Offering educational programs, projects and services which provide equitable opportunity for all learners in the community;

6. Introducing new innovative methods of instruction to achieve higher learning outcomes;

7. Administering and managing all personnel, physical and fiscal resources of the school;

8. Recommending the staffing complement of the school based on its needs;

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9. Encouraging staff development; and10. Establishing school and community network and

encouraging the active participation of teachers organizations, non-academic personnel of public schools, and parents-teachers-community associations.

What are the roles of instructional leaders?

In general, they improve teaching and learning in the school.

They lead in setting the school vision and formulating strategies.

They are resource provider. They are instructional resource. They provide a visible presence in the school. They understand effective practices in school. They define the school mission. They understand effective practices in curriculum,

instruction and assessment. They promote and participate in teacher learning and

development. They ensure supportive and orderly environment. They understand effective pedagogy.

What does research tell us about instructional leadership?

The Victorian Educational Leadership consortium states their research-based conclusions related to school leadership.

1. Leadership has significant effects on student learning, second only to the effects of the quality of curriculum and teachers’ instruction.

2. Currently, administrators and teacher leaders provide most of the leadership in schools, but other potential sources of leadership exist.

3. A core set of leadership practices from the “Basics” of successful leadership and are valuable in almost all educational contexts.

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4. Successful school leaders respond productively to challenges and opportunities created by the accountability-oriented policy context in which they work.

5. Successful school leaders respond productively to the opportunities and challenges of educating diverse groups of students.

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