Teaching Evidence Use to Educational Leaders: The Ed.D.'s Contribution

• In Event: Ways in Which Leaders Are Prepared

Abstract

Educational leaders are critical to evidence use in schools. Yet, their use of evidence is impeded by limited understanding. The EdD should enhance leaders' understanding of evidence use, but little research has been done on its effects on participants’ knowledge. We conducted a mixed methods exploratory case studies of four exemplary programs combining documents, interviews with students, alumni and faculty, observation of teaching, and a survey of alumni. What promoted evidence use was methodological training featuring hands on projects to design, collect and analyze evidence plus classroom attention to finding and interpreting evidence. This work was conducted in programs designed to meet the needs of future leaders so all instruction was linked to problems of practice.

Authors

• William A. Firestone, Self-employed

• Karen Seashore Louis, University of Minnesota

• Jill Alexa Perry, University of Pittsburgh

• Andrew Leland, Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

• Robin McKeon, Rutgers University