Definition of Educational

Administration

Anne Pyburn Craig - Updated July 23, 2018

Updated July 23, 2018

The goal of the educational administrator is to keep the school's overall

process flowing smoothly, making decisions that facilitate successful
student learning. The administrator identifies and articulates a school's
mission and goals and makes them happen by implementing programs,
delegating tasks and allocating resources. The effective leader is visionary,
collaborative and passionate about the field of educational administration.

Roles of Educational Administrators

The top administrator, whether she's called superintendent, head of school,

president or principal, is the institution's equivalent of a chief executive
officer in business. She takes an active role in personnel issues, budget
decisions, curriculum planning and setting policy that staff and students will
abide by. Administrators are responsible for setting the institution's tone and
serve as its public face. School districts, colleges and universities often
employ assistant administrators to be responsible for budget, curriculum and
personnel. Still other educational administrators work in research and
policy-making roles in governmental and private departments and
organizations where students typically never set foot.

Educational Administration Degrees

Typically, an educational administrator will need an advanced educational
administration degree such as a Master of Education, Master of Arts in
Educational Leadership or a Doctor of Education. At the master's in
administration level, coursework typically includes the sociology and law of
education, educational research, curricular and instructional strategies and
leadership and management skills. Earning a doctoral degree requires
advanced study in leadership; educational theory, practice and planning;
supervisory skills; research and statistics; and organizational dynamics.

Styles of Educational Administration

Educational researchers have devoted considerable effort to defining and

analyzing what makes an effective administrator. Effectiveness is measured
using research tools such as school climate surveys and institutional health
assessments. Educational leadership focuses on different types of
administrative styles. The authoritarian leader is unemotional and runs a
tight ship using coercive tactics. Participative leaders emphasize collegiality
and collaboration. Transactional leaders strive for a happy middle ground
between the two, and transformational leaders who focus on servant
leadership and empowerment. No definitive evidence exits proving that one
of these styles works better than all of the others; what matters is a good fit
between the administrator and the institution's key stakeholders.

Leaderships Careers in Education

Many a teacher takes a look at the way things are being run and either
admires or detests it so much that he decides to go for that master's and
become a decision maker. To make this decision less difficult, practically
speaking, many graduate programs are designed to accommodate the needs
of working teachers seeking senior level careers in education. Aspiring
educational administrators need to prepare themselves for long days during
which they'll handle a variety of problems and successes and be the one held
responsible in good times and bad. It's a job for problem solvers with superb
time management skills.