Challenges in Designing and Implementing a Meaningful Field Experience for Future School Leaders

Abstract

During the past decade, educational leadership programs have faced significant criticism for degreeprograms not adequately preparing students for the current demands of school administration,particularly for not providing meaningful field experiences. Leadership programs have been challengedto replicate experiences provided in "model" programs, contain discrete and multi-month formalizedinternships in which candidates are released from teaching responsibilities. Unfortunately, suchprograms are highly dependent upon both external grant funding and significant financial support fromuniversities and school districts.This paper examines the solution reached by one large suburban institution in Georgia when requiredto redesign its master’s degree program in educational leadership.