Developing Political Leadership among K-12 Public School Leaders: Imagining a Future of Research-Based Tools

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

As public schools have become battlegrounds for ideologically-driven and culturally divisive issues, superintendents increasingly find themselves navigating complex political landscapes while promoting educational equity. This symposium presents three research-based tools developed to strengthen current and aspiring superintendents' political leadership capabilities. A cross-disciplinary panel of researchers, former superintendents, and support organization leaders will demonstrate: (1) a fieldbook anchoring communities of practice around equity-focused political strategies, (2) interactive online simulations providing safe spaces to practice decision-making in politically charged scenarios, and (3) case studies engaging participants in deliberative dialogue about dilemmas. An interactive breakout component will allow attendees to more deeply explore implementation challenges, scaling opportunities, and future research directions for political leadership development in diverse learning contexts.

Sub Unit

• Division A - Administration / Division A - Section 5: Leadership Preparation Development

Chair

• Julie A. Marsh, University of Southern California

Papers

• Political Leadership Tool #1: Fieldbook for Communities of Practice - Jennifer Cheatham, Harvard University

• Political Leadership Tool #2: Interactive Online Simulations - Rachel Sue White, University of Texas at Austin; Julie A. Marsh, University of Southern California

• Political Leadership Tool #3: Case Study - Judy L. Pace, University of San Francisco

Session Organizer

• Rachel Sue White, University of Texas at Austin

Discussant

• Caitlikn Sullivan, Leading Now