Curriculum analysis of educational leadership master's programs in the university system of Maryland

摘要

In the USA, university-based educational leadership programs, usually referred to as principal preparation programs, have traditionally been the sole source of preparing aspiring school leaders for the job. In response to criticisms from time to time, the programs have been reformed and redesigned. This research was an attempt to investigate the current status of educational leadership programs regarding their missions, goals, and objectives, the curriculum design, and the incorporation of standards. Findings indicated that the programs’ missions, goals, and objectives focused on the knowledge, skills, and dispositions as articulated in the Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium and Educational Leadership Constituent Council Standards in the form of expectations for school leaders. The courses aligned with the standards were designed to equip candidates with the basic knowledge and processes of administration and instructional leadership along with awareness of the current issues, application of research tools to make informed decisions, use of modern technology, and developmental and cultural understanding. Moreover, the internship component of the programs was meant to provide authentic opportunities for candidates to apply theory into practice and to devise and practice their own leadership style.