Organizational culture is not just a business issue, but extends to other organizations such as those found in educational settings. Like business organizations, educational settings have specific cultures. For example, the school may have one culture, the school board another, and the teachers may have a third culture. Recognizing and working with these cultures is part of the job of an educational leader. Understanding the culture and being able to communicate ideas with each individual group will help leaders succeed.

Another area where leadership skills are put to task is around trends. Educational leaders need to be able to evaluate trends from many perspectives to determine how the trend will impact their teachers, students, school, district, school board, and the community as a whole. Learning to evaluate trends and move those under your leadership towards trends that have lasting value is an important skill for all educational leaders.

In this section, you will be examining your organizational culture and reviewing educational trends.

Required Reading:

Evaluate Educational Leadership Trends

Complete a brief (2-3 pages) review of the literature to identify and evaluate three educational trends. Note how these trends impact your own educational organization. Evaluate any instructional leadership activities related to these trends that have proven to be effective.