 By Joy Hutton With all the talk about teachers these days, it can be easy to overlook the critical role that educational administration plays in the education of our children and in the effective leadership of our schools. The people who lead and direct teachers, providing managerial support, guidance and oversight, are also the ones who make schools run effectively and ensure that the workforce of tomorrow is equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. 
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 450,000 people were employed in educational administration careers in 2006, and 12 percent growth is expected by the year 2016. Much of this growth is expected to be in the areas of preschool and postsecondary administration. As more parents enroll their young children in preschools, and as colleges, universities and trade schools offer more programs for working adults, the number of school administrator positions will increase to meet that growing demand. What is Educational Administration? Just as companies require planning and oversight, schools need educational management to succeed. Education administrators are the CEOs and top managers of our educational system, and their responsibilities and duties reflect this. Some common education administration jobs include the following: - school principal
- assistant/vice-principal
- school district administrator
- superintendent
- private school dean
- director of admissions
- preschool director
- college/university president
- provost/chief academic officer
Is Educational Administration Right for Me? If you are currently a teacher who is interested in advancing your career, becoming a school principal or other educational management leader could be your logical next step. But there are some personal attributes and qualities that successful educational administrators usually possess. People who pursue education administration careers are are looking for a fast-paced career with a high level of responsibility. You will need judicious time management skills, strong interpersonal skills and business acumen. In addition, you'll need to have a keen interest in the success of your school and a desire to equip your students with the best your school or district has to offer. Many school populations serve students from various ethnic, cultural, religious and socio-economic backgrounds. It is up to the school principals, vice principals, deans and directors to balance the needs of a diverse student body while meeting state and federal standards for quality teaching, academic achievement and extra-curricular programs. If you are an objective, organized problem solver who can adapt to changing conditions and are passionate enough about education to make a sustained difference, educational administration may be the career for you.
How Do I Become a School Administrator? Most school administrators begin their careers in teaching and prepare for a job in educational administration by completing a master's or doctoral degree. They demonstrate their determination and motivation by proving leadership skills in other areas, taking on additional responsibilities as classroom teachers, offering innovative ideas at faculty meetings and following through on commitments to deliver results. Master's and doctoral degree programs in educational administration focus less on pedagogy (the art of teaching) and more on developing the skills needed to be an effective administrator. They are offered across a wide range of colleges and universities and are often targeted toward meeting specific state or national certification requirements. A typical curriculum will include course work in these subjects: - school management
- leadership
- school law
- budgeting
- community relations
- educational politics
- curriculum development and evaluation
Nearly all states require school administrators to hold at least a master's degree, pass an aptitude test and complete hands-on training in order to become certified. Many require administrators to complete continuing education courses in order to maintain their licenses. Private schools and preschools tend to have more lax requirements; however, graduate-level training is becoming increasingly important for educational management across all education fields. Find an educational administration program near you in our comprehensive school directory. |
