Chapter 4 – School Administration, Requirements and Opportunities

changes across the states have not been uniform, Chapter focuses on licensing and issues related to applying for administrative positions, changes across the states have not been uniform, it is critical that you have some basic understanding of why and how states regulate practice in school administration, look at real work lives of persons in these positions. Introduction to Educational Leadership

I. Licensing and Certification II. Quality-of-Life Considerations III. Contemporary Opportunities IV. Implications for Practice Introduction to Educational Leadership

Licensing and Certifications Licensing is typically used in conjunction with a mandatory process (one cannot practice medicine without a license). Certification typically refers to a voluntary procedure (licensed to practice medicine but certified in specialized area of medicine). License is required, certification is not. Introduction to Educational Leadership

A. Licensing and Professional Preparation Colleges and universities set degree requirements; licensing standards are established by each of the 50 states. Some talk of Professional Standards Boards – However, issues surrounding who will serve on them, political hacks, teachers, etc. Introduction to Educational Leadership

B. Legal Meaning of License A certificate to practice as an educator is not a property right. It is not a contract between the individual and the state. “grandfathering” Introduction to Educational Leadership

C. State Requirements Types of licenses issues – elementary, middle school, secondary/high school, k-12, Degrees for administrative – typically at least a Master’s degree. Professional experience often a requirement (S.D. requires 3 years teaching experience) Other requirements (national or state test – Praxis, Graduate Record Exam - GRE, graduating from an accredited college/university, complete an approved internship, criminal background check. Introduction to Educational Leadership

D. National Certification Initiatives ISLLC NCATE National Board of Professional Teaching Standards Professional Associations – school business officials/administrators Introduction to Educational Leadership

II. Quality of Life Considerations A. Income – all relative for many reasons (see table 4.1), collateral benefits are the norm now (insurances, car, membership in organizations, etc.) Salaries are not realistic when looked at based on per day costs or per hour costs. Comparisons to surrounding schools more likely then trying to use state averages or national averages. B. Status – should be with a high level of social respect (based on salary of teachers, quality of facilities, community participation, level of collaboration between community and school, public comments made by board about school system, autonomy and influence)) C. Work Requirements and Occupational Stress – based on time management skills, spend upwards of 50 + hours a week, how to handle stress, personal satisfaction with a job well done D. Life in the Public’s Eye – Admin treated as public property, someone/anyone always has an opinion and wants your ear, easier to change jobs, function more independently then teachers, intrinsic rewards. E. Job Security – tenure for teachers and administrators (but usually only as teachers) Introduction to Educational Leadership

III. Contemporary Opportunities Research indicates that there is a growing need for more qualified/certified school administrators. Early retirements, attrition, nonrenewals, locally wanting someone from the ranks (not a rank person), A. Supply and Demand (i.e. shortage of teachers led to increase in salaries, increase in recruitment bonuses…) same with administrators, pay for quality, shortage of applicants leads to quality B. Overall Outlook for jobs is favorable. Pine Ridge changed out 20 of 24 jobs between 06-07 and 07-08. 13 principals and 7 directors on the Rosebud right now. Introduction to Educational Leadership

IV. Implications for Practice Knowing how one prepares for and enters practice will lead to understanding your study of school administration. Continually engage self in an objective self-evaluation to candidly identify your strengths, interests and career aspirations Study positions opening in your surrounding area (salaries, living conditions, even do a few interviews for practice). Introduction to Educational Leadership