Educational Leadership Development (ELD) was created to re-imagine professional learning for school and district educational leaders. ELD utilizes two strategies, both customizable: Microcredentials (MCs) focused on a set of discrete practice skills, and Community Learning Exchanges (CLEs), a systemic approach to link collaborative leadership with families and communities. Both professional learning opportunities incorporate adult learning principles, including:
- Educational leaders want to apply new learning immediately.
- Educational leaders need practice to learn in public and make incremental shifts in practice.
- Coaching – both individual and small group – supports new learning and practice.
- Peer networks support job-alike adults in taking risks and changing practices.
Microcredentials (MCs) are innovations in professional learning that differ from formal university classes and traditional in-service professional development. MCs aim at a set of discrete skills rooted in one’s professional practice. Each MC has a set of skills and competencies assessed as evidence of mastery or proficiency. MCs are personalized and flexible learning experiences. Participants are guided in their practice with coaches and demonstrate competency mastery with a set of artifacts represented by continuing education credits and a digital badge.
Community Learning Exchanges (CLEs) are rooted in the belief in the Power of Place and the Wisdom of People. That is, a place’s context (history, politics, culture) is integral to learning along with families and local community members. These main principles anchor the CLE axioms:
- Learning and Leadership are a Dynamic Social Process
- Conversations are Critical and Central Pedagogical Processes
- The People Closest to the Issues are Best Situated to Discover Answers to Local Concerns
- Crossing Boundaries Enriches the Development and Educational Process
- Hope and Change are Built on Assets and Dreams of Locals and their Communities
ELD works with participants to help them understand the elements of CLEs and, more importantly, how to facilitate local CLEs. CLEs can range from a one-hour school faculty meeting to half- or full-day learning events.
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ELD is inspired and informed by current and former participants and students. Additionally, two federal grants have supported the development of this work:
Project edPIRATE, U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Teacher Quality Partnership Program(Award No. S336S220017)
Project I4, U.S. Dept. of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Supporting Effective Educator Development (Award No. U423A180096)