Every school administrator is delegated the authority to improve the learning outcomes in his place of assignment. This is otherwise known as EMPOWERMENT. As enrollment shot up, teachers and administrators were hired faster than could be adequately trained. The leveling of enrollment growth at the primary level provides an opportunity to reallocate resources to quality improvement.
Even when resources are available, the problem that administrators face in improving school quality is knowing what inputs and actions will lead to the results they seek. There is little understanding of how to convert these additional resources into improved learning experiences for students. If low performance is due to inadequate inputs like insufficient textbooks, raising performance might be relatively straightforward. However, low achievement often stems from a more complex constellation of problems. For example, if low performance reflects some combination of poor teacher performance, low student motivation, poor instructional supervision at the school level and lack of parental encouragement, it may not be clear how the money can be best spent to resolve the problem-fixing any one weakness may not be sufficient to resolve the multi-source problem.
The challenge now for school administrators in order to have better school quality is to exercise to his utmost capability his role as an Instructional Leader and as an Administrative Manager or Chief Executive Officer. As an Instructional Leader, being empowered, creative, transformational, value driven and not dependent in prescriptions. Likewise, making sure that student learning goals are clearly articulated and understood and that everyone in the school is accountable for the achievement of the goals.On the other hand, as Chief Executive Officer, being responsible for the smooth and efficient running of the school’s finances, personnel, the delivery of quality education, integrating and aligning the curriculum and ensuring curriculum efficiency and regularly evaluating, enriching and updating the curriculum.
Truly, School Administrators have much to contribute to better school quality.
By: PAULINE B. ROXAS, Ed.D. | Head Teacher III | Bagumbayan Elementary School | Pilar, Bataan
