PRESIDENT'S JOURNAL

Instructional Leadership and the Operation of Schools

There is little argument that the role of the school principal is becoming more and more complex and that it requires support at many levels within school boards and the Ministry of Education. In order to attain high levels of achievement and well-being for students, the Ministry has initiated strategies to engage principals in spending more time and becoming more effective in instructional leadership in their school communities. The reality of course is that the duties of a principal as outlined in the Education Act are quite prescriptive. The duties described are:
         The principal of a school, subject to the authority of the appropriate supervisory officer, is in charge of,
         • the instruction and the discipline of pupils in the school; and
         • the organization and management of the school

In a recently completed CPCO survey (completed by 52% of our 2100 members), 58% indicated that they spent more than 50% of their time dealing with organizational and management issues in their schools. In the same survey, 58% of the respondents indicated that they spend less than 25% of their time on instructional leadership.

Clearly, school leadership initiatives must embrace the complexities associated with the management aspect of the school leadership position or must they? Could organization and management of a school fall under the umbrella of instructional leadership?

At a recent Institute for Education Leadership (IEL) meeting, CPCO brought to the table the topic of Instructional Leadership. This has been a topic of much collaborative discussion between OPC, ADFO and CPCO this year. I was truly encouraged by the engagement by all partners at the table with regards to how important this discussion is to the bigger picture of student achievement and leadership development in school boards. The discussion included a general acknowledgement that a clearer definition of instructional leadership would be helpful in addressing our concerns.

All members at the IEL table were in agreement that this topic belonged at the IEL for further discussion. Everyone was very supportive of its return as an agenda item at a future meeting where more time could be allotted for an in-depth dialogue.

I truly believe that this topic is a vital next step in the development of effective schools and effective school leadership in Ontario. I trust that future presidents of our respective associations, with good counsel from executive directors, will move this agenda forward to the benefit of all principals and vice-principals in our schools and the students in their care.

Upcoming Events

May 12 - Association visit - Ottawa
May 13 - Association visit - Algonquin-Lakeshore
May 18 - Deputy Minister’s mtg.
May 19 - CPCO/OCSOA Speaker Series… Patrick Duignan

If you would like to comment or provide feedback on the President’s Journal, please contact Paul Lacalamita at president@cpco.on.ca.