Teaching professionals who achieve leadership roles such as principal, assistant principal, department chair or district administrative support are uniquely positioned to foster positive change in their school or district. Strong leaders with skills in continuous improvement can spark innovation and growth by setting and refining strategies that bolster learning.
The online Master of Education in Educational Leadership program from Florida Gulf Coast University equips educators with the knowledge, skills and preparation necessary to become an assistant principal. Students who complete the program receive Level 1 Educational Leadership certification by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
Defining Continuous Improvement in Education
Simply put, the continuous improvement process in education consists of six basic steps:
- Define a problem
- Develop an approach
- Try it
- See if it works
- Revise accordingly
- Repeat
This may sound easy, but in reality the process is not as linear as it looks. Leadership teams in schools that successfully implement continuous improvement cycles nurture shared decision-making, goal consensus, embedded reflective practices, cohesive teacher knowledge, effective systems of intervention and supportive-restorative leadership. The goal is to identify and implement the most effective strategies for enhancing student learning and school culture.
Fostering a Learning Culture With Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement processes benefit from an environment that encourages a strong learning culture where knowledge sharing, innovation and the pursuit of excellence are part of daily operations. The goal is to prepare students to better navigate and thrive in an ever-changing world.
The most successful way to create and sustain a learning culture is to adopt and implement continuous improvement methods that identify the most effective teaching strategies and adjust based on outcomes. Establishing a growth mindset among leaders and teachers and encouraging constructive feedback constitutes the foundation of a learning culture.
The Role of a Growth Mindset
Leaders that establish a school- or district-wide growth mindset help bolster learning and leadership among teachers and staff. As opposed to a fixed mindset, a growth mindset views learning as an ever-evolving experience.
Stanford University professor Dr. Carol Dweck, an expert on growth mindsets, underscores the importance of the approach. She says leaders, schools and districts can increase the level and frequency of achievements through hard work, persistence, being open to feedback and embracing new learning methods.
Approaches to Professional Development
Encouraging a love of learning and innovation among teams helps nurture a growth mindset. In some situations, blending a fixed mindset and a growth mindset may be applicable to some teachers. Everyone possesses both types of mindsets, but encouraging teachers to develop growth mindset beliefs can help them find a new way forward. One approach is to define what impactful feedback is and provide personalized feedback.
Leaders who support their staff by providing opportunities for professional development also help promote continuous improvement. Distributing or delegating leadership opportunities gives teachers the chance to engage in collectively solving problems. This helps schools and districts adopt a collective growth mindset.
Phases of a Collaborative Continuous Improvement Cycle
A collaborative continuous improvement cycle or inquiry cycle provides a structured approach to identifying, implementing and refining sustainable changes. A collaborative inquiry cycle has three phases: evidence, analysis and action. In the evidence phase, evidence taken from student work, student perception, class climate data, observation and other areas helps anchor the team’s inquiry.
Analysis of the data collected involves looking at the outcomes of actions implemented. It’s important to assess whether the actions taken were effective and were based on the initial evidence. In other words, have the actions taken align with the identified need? Following analysis, the action phase involves adjusting, scaling up or down or trying alternative methods for continuous improvement.
Becoming an Educational Leader Who Fosters Continuous Improvement
Educators who want to gain the knowledge and disposition needed to be an effective leader in the complex environment of P-12 schools can achieve that through the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership online program offered by Florida Gulf Coast University. Career-relevant coursework covers principles of educational leadership, data and analysis in education, learning accountability and assessment, organizational development and more.
Students can complete this affordable online master’s program in as few as 12 months. The program leads to Level 1 Educational Leadership certification by FLDOE upon successful completion of coursework, 320 internship hours and passing of the Florida Educational Leadership Exam (FELE).
Learn more about the online Master of Education in Educational Leadership program from Florida Gulf Coast University.
