Preparing Leaders for Deeper Learning

An astute assessment of the educational leadership skills and leadership development practices that align with deeper learning in K–12 schools.

Leadership Preparation for Deeper Learning spotlights educational leaders as key actors in the urgent task of readying students for college, careers, and citizenship in an evolving world. Marjorie Wechsler and Steven Wojcikiewicz argue that, in response to new understandings of learning and development and emerging societal needs, K–12 school leaders must be able to shift institutions toward deeper learning models, in which collaboration, critical thinking, and project-based learning are fundamental concepts.

Through detailed case studies, Wechsler and Wojcikiewicz demonstrate how educational leadership development programs can prepare principals to guide their schools, teachers, and students toward deeper learning and equity. They highlight the approaches of five exemplary leadership preparation programs—the University of Illinois at Chicago, Long Beach Unified School District, Arkansas Leadership Academy, National Institute for School Leadership, and the University of California, Berkley—which together serve educational leaders at all career levels, from initial training for candidates through in-service professional development for seasoned school principals. They identify school structures and classroom practices that enable these programs to confer the skill set needed for deeper learning leadership, and they describe the education policy priorities that can support school leaders in acquiring these necessary skills.

This book shows that targeted leadership development is a vital component of transforming schools to create deeper learning opportunities for all students.