National Survey Reveals Impending Leadership Crisis in Education

Preparing for an anticipated leadership shortage, U.S. school districts start using leadership development tools traditionally used by corporations. Former school superintendent partners with leadership development designer Discovery Learning to create a 360 assessment that evaluates skills such as 'instructional leadership' and 'service to students and stakeholders' - two important competencies not addressed by general population 360 assessments.

In today's arena of high stakes testing and accountability, the issue of 'instructional leadership' is critically important for success

Greensboro, NC (PRWEB) April 17, 2008 -- According to a national survey of school superintendents conducted by The American Association of School Administrators, 39% of superintendents plan to retire by 2011, 46% plan to remain active as superintendents and 14% plan to continue working, but not as superintendents.

"Education is facing a leadership crisis," says Dr. Larry Coble, veteran educator and founder of School Leadership Services. After 38 years in education -13 as a consultant - Coble believes there's never been more need for leadership development in education than right now.

To help school districts prepare, Coble joined forces with leadership development solutions provider Discovery Learning Inc. to develop the Discovery Leadership Profile for Educators™, a 360-degree assessment designed to measure leadership competencies specific to the education sector.

"The unique challenges facing educators require a specialized assessment," says Discovery Learning President, Chris Musselwhite, Ed.D.

According to Musselwhite, Coble contributed to the sections in the Discovery Leadership Profile for Educators that address 'instructional leadership' and 'service to students and stakeholders' -- two important competencies in education leadership that are not addressed by general population 360 assessments.

"In today's arena of high stakes testing and accountability, the issue of 'instructional leadership' is critically important for success," says Coble. "As is the matter of 'service to students,' which is why the whole education system exists: to serve the students."

When used district-wide, the Discovery Leadership Profile for Educators can reveal important trends in development needs in that district.

"Today, we have a shortage of people willing to serve as principals and superintendents," says Coble. "As a result, more districts have to move inexperienced professionals into leadership roles prematurely. Tools that can identify where development is needed are crucial to ensuring leadership needs are met."

The Discovery Leadership Profile for Educators collects anonymous and confidential feedback about leadership performance of individuals from up to 17 respondents, including direct reports, peers and supervisors. The assessment aggregates this information to provide personalized feedback about performance on 62 items in 15 important dimensions of leadership.

Administered through the Discovery Learning Online Assessment Center™, the assessment allows rated leaders to compare subgroup ratings to each other and to the self-rating, revealing gaps between self perceptions and the perceptions of others.

"In addition to providing insight into how others view their leadership effectiveness, using a 360 across an entire district provides a common language for discussing leadership," says Musselwhite.

Coble believes that 360 assessments will continue to be used both ways -- to help individuals and to identify collective needs -- and has seen the latter gaining interest across the country.

"I believe the challenges our education system face can be successfully addressed, but it will take effective, creative and experienced leaders to do it," says Coble. "The Discovery Leadership Profile for Educators and other tools specialized to the needs of educators will be a big help in making that happen."

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