Navigating Crisis: The Consequential Role of State Education Leaders Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Leading Through the Pandemic: Serving Students Through Different Leadership Channels, Moving Online, and Mitigating Disruption

Abstract

As educational inequities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic persist, there is an urgent need for effective and justice-oriented leadership. While emerging research reveals how district and school leaders navigated the crisis, less is known about the role of state education leaders despite their influential positions bridging policy and practice across levels of the education system. Drawing on interviews with a range of state-level education actors, we examine the factors influencing their efforts to ensure students’ access to education amidst the pandemic. Findings reveal how leaders leveraged collaborative networks to support student learning and address inequities, as well as how this work was mediated by political tensions, and staff shortages. We conclude with implications to inform ongoing pandemic recovery efforts.

Authors

• Ayesha Hashim, NWEA
  Presenting Author

• Hayley Ryan Weddle, University of Pittsburgh
  Presenting Author

• Ogechi Irondi, University of Pittsburgh
  Presenting Author