Leadership in Crisis: Responding to Educational Challenges with an Online Ed.D.

In recent years, the educational landscape has faced significant challenges, compounded by the complexities of navigating today's educational systems. This has contributed to a growing leadership in crisis in education, as more superintendents, administrators, and principals retire, with fewer educators ready to fill their roles. Meanwhile, students are increasingly seeking guidance and support from committed professionals during these transformative times. 

Have you ever asked yourself, what can you do with a doctorate in educational leadership? Now may be the time to consider the answer, especially if you feel called to respond to the growing leadership crisis in education. 

Defining the Crisis Leadership in Education 

The current leadership crisis in education has been described by the California Collaborative on District Reform as unprecedented. Educational crises are not new, and educational leaders have long been strained by the stress of navigating complex circumstances. However, the size and scope of the current crisis is unlike anything that has been seen in education thus far. 

The California Collaborative on District Reform notes that the ongoing leadership crisis in education stems from several factors, including: 

• The magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic and the extended duration of that public health crisis. 

• Political and social change that has significantly impacted the public perception of the role of education. 

• Increased prevalence of natural disasters which continue to impact the livelihood of students currently enrolled. 

The fact that all of these stressors are currently heightened for the educational leadership crisis, resulting in an increase in administrative retirements. 

What Is the Crisis in the Educational Sector 

The current crisis in the educational sector is multifaceted, though many educational experts are focusing on the fact that a greater number of superintendents, administrators and principals are leaving. In several cases, they are leaving without successors in place. 

According to EducationWeek, the 2022 National Teacher and Principal Survey found that 11 percent of principals were leaving their roles at the end of the 2021-2022 school year. Of those, nine percent were under the age of 54, a young age to consider retiring, yet an advanced age to be considering a career change. 

This educational leadership crisis has emphasized the importance of professional development and leadership training, as there will need to be experienced educators willing to step up into these roles. The answer to this crisis may be found in the educational leadership doctoral degree program, which takes a strategic and academic approach to educational leadership development. 

The Role of Leadership During Educational Crises 

The leaders within a school building or school district play an integral role during any type of educational crisis. Whether a school is being faced with a local crisis, such as a tornado that has ripped through town, or a national crisis, like the COVID-19 pandemic, educational leaders become the face of the community and the source of comfort as well as support for their teachers, staff members, students and families. 

Effective leadership can help schools navigate any crisis, but the key is to approach each crisis in a thoughtful and precise way. Leaders must be able to effectively communicate with community stakeholders, usher in a sense of calm in the community and acknowledge the breadth and depth of the crisis. 

The Online Ed.D. Program Overview 

The Doctor of Educational Leadership degree, which is commonly known as the Ed.D. program, is designed to provide educators with a comprehensive overview of the role of educational leadership as well as strategic, actionable skills that can be implemented in any educational environment. 

With an emphasis on ethical decision-making and educational research, this doctoral degree program effectively prepares educators to take on administrative positions. Today's educators should consider this program, as it will help ease the impact of the current educational leadership crisis. 

Core Components and Objectives 

The objective of this program is to develop educators into inspirational and motivational leaders equipped with the skills needed to navigate the complex and dynamic educational landscape of today. 

To do this, the program is rooted by a rigorous curriculum, which focuses on the following core components: 

• The Politics of Organizational Decision-Making 

• Program Planning and Assessment 

• Learning in Adulthood 

• Leadership in Theory and Practice 

• Higher Education in America 

• The Change Process 

• Leadership in Historical Context 

In addition to the core requirements of the program, there are research opportunities to explore as well as specialty areas to consider, including criminal justice, education, English, health professions, health science, history, mathematics, missions and ministry, nursing, student personnel services, business, information systems, information technology and public administration. These specialty areas allow prospective educational leaders to focus on a niche area that interests them and have a greater impact on the educational landscape as a whole. 

How It Prepares Leaders for Crisis Management 

By providing a comprehensive overview of what leadership in education entails along with a skills-based curriculum that emphasizes leadership development, the Ed.D. program effectively prepares leaders to manage any type of crisis that a school may face. Aspiring leaders who enroll in this program can develop an advanced understanding of what it takes to operate a school building or school district, and therefore, they are more prepared to lead in a time of crisis. 

Key Leadership Skills for Navigating Educational Challenges 

The educational challenges that leaders in school are facing today are notoriously complex. Educational leaders are weighing the demands of operating a school building or district along with student outcomes, staff morale, political influences, family expectations and community obligations. When considering what can you do with a doctorate in educational leadership, it becomes clear that advanced training is essential. 

To maneuver through these challenges and deliver positive outcomes for all stakeholders, these are the key leadership skills that educational leaders need to focus on: 

Strategic Decision-Making in Times of Uncertainty 

In times of uncertainty, it is the leaders who have to step up and make the hard decisions. However, educational leaders must know how to make these decisions in a way both strategic and ethical. According to LinkedIn, strategic decision-making in educational leadership involves: 

• Assessing the unique needs of your school community. What works for one school building or district may not be the right choice for your particular community. 

• Establishing specific and measurable goals that allow you to focus on the next best steps to take. 

• Collecting and analyzing relevant data to make an evidence-based decision. 

• Consulting with community stakeholders and other administrators in your local area to get feedback and guidance. 

• Considering the impact that your decision will have before implementing your plan. 

Effective Communication During Crises 

Communication is essential during any crisis, and school leaders have to be the primary communicators. To effectively communicate during a crisis, Vanderbloemen notes that educational leaders should: 

• Develop communications that are clear, consistent and transparent. 

• Communicate information as quickly as possible and as soon as facts are available. 

• Remain confident and calm in your communication, but do not diminish the severity of the crisis. Hope should be at the center of any communication. 

• Use various communication tools, including e-mail, social media and video messaging, to connect with community stakeholders. 

Building Resilience and Adaptability in Educational Communities 

Any crisis is going to feel daunting, overwhelming and possibly insurmountable, particularly for community stakeholders who may be directly impacted by the crisis. Educational leaders have the power to build resilience and adaptability through their specific leadership approach. Leaders who adopt a motivational, transformational or inspirational leadership style will be best equipped to lead during an educational crisis. 

Case Studies: Leadership in Action During Crises 

Fortunately, aspiring educational leaders have numerous role models to look to, as the vast majority of leaders in education have navigated through several social, political, health and natural crises over the past several years. By witnessing leadership in action, students planning to pursue an Ed.D. in educational leadership can begin to develop their own model and style of management. 

Responding to Public Health Emergencies in Education 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, most educational leaders only had to deal with localized public health emergencies. For example, it is not uncommon to have an outbreak of influenza or Norovirus within a classroom or school building, and there are protocols in place for managing minor outbreaks of contagious disease. However, when the novel COVID-19 virus spread around the world in the early months of 2020, educational leaders found themselves dealing with a colossal public health crisis that carried with it significant implications. Superintendents, administrators, and principals had to work quickly to develop protocols that were in line with ever-changing guidance from public health officials, often resulting in prolonged closures of the classroom, extended periods of remote learning and extreme social distancing measures.  

Through it all, the most impactful and effective leaders were able to remain transparent, clearly communicate with community stakeholders and maintain a sense of hope throughout the duration of that unprecedented public health crisis. 

Navigating Policy Changes and Educational Reforms 

Throughout the course of the past decade, the country has undergone seismic shifts in terms of its social and political climate, and educational leaders have had to navigate an endless series of policy changes and educational reforms. The educational policies that leaders must adapt to and accommodate will vary significantly from one municipality to the next, depending heavily on the cultural and political beliefs of the people in a particular area. 

Despite the tension that can exist amongst an ever-divided community, educational leaders must work to bridge the cultural divide and serve as an objective sounding board for the community. Regardless of the policy changes and educational reforms that come about, educational leaders must prioritize student well-being and ensure that every child has access to a high-quality education. 

Implementing Technology Solutions for Crisis Management 

Technology continues to play a vital role in the educational experience for students, but administrators should recognize the fact that they can leverage technology solutions to effectively manage any type of crisis. Technology solutions for crisis management can help speed up the response to the crisis, ensure accuracy in communication and improve overall clarity. 

Leveraging Online Learning Platforms 

Online learning platforms have become a vital tool in education. Not only do these platforms enable remote learning and allow students to learn how to safely use technology, but they also can serve as a critical tool during a crisis. Through online learning platforms, administrators can connect virtually with students or family members, and they can instantly communicate with community stakeholders. 

Utilizing Digital Tools for Community Engagement 

Digital tools can also help educational leaders improve community engagement during a crisis. Technology that can help educational leaders with crisis management include: 

• Crisis management software that can streamline communication and improve collaboration in a crisis. 

• Virtual conferencing software that can allow for remote meetings and community messaging. 

• Social media tools that can help educational leaders disseminate accurate information quickly to the community. 

Developing Policies for Crisis Preparedness and Response 

The key to effectively navigating any crisis is to work well in advance to prepare for a wide range of catastrophic scenarios. Developing policies for crisis preparedness and response can help improve the overall response to any crisis and can help educational leaders feel more confident in their decision-making should a crisis occur. 

Frameworks for Effective Crisis Response Plans 

Effective crisis response plans should be in place for any type of emergency, ranging from public health crises, natural disasters, active shooter scenarios and more. The framework for an effective crisis response plan must include the following areas: 

• Safety and security 

• Accurate communication to all community stakeholders 

• Emotional and psychological support 

Ethical Considerations in Crisis Decision-Making 

Supervisors, administrators, and principals have to act swiftly during a crisis, but despite the speed at which decisions have to be made, they need to keep ethical considerations at the top of their minds. 

These are the ethical considerations to keep in mind during crisis decision-making: 

• Collaborate with all members of the leadership team to ensure that every perspective is being considered and valued. 

• Follow protocol at all times to be sure that you are maintaining compliance with all laws, guidelines and regulations. 

• Document any steps that you take so that you can highlight the process you took to finalize your decision. 

The Impact of Leadership on Educational Recovery Post-Crisis 

Navigating the crisis is the first step that school leaders have to go through, but then they also must guide the community through any post-crisis efforts. For many educational leaders, the crisis recovery process can be as daunting and overwhelming as the recovery itself. Knowing how other leaders have successfully led recovery efforts can assist aspiring educational leaders who may have to do the same one day. 

Case Examples of Successful Recovery Efforts 

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools around the country had to navigate the impact of the pandemic on students. For a number of educational leaders, it was clear that extensive learning loss took place, and they had to work to put their students back on track. One Catholic school in Minnesota was able to quickly recover after the COVID-19 pandemic because they made a strategic choice to implement individualized learning plans, or ILPs. These plans, which are evaluated and revised each year, allow teachers to cater to the individual needs of the student so that they ultimately achieve better outcomes. 

Lessons Learned and Future Implications for Educational Leaders 

By reflecting on the crisis management strategy that took place during the crisis itself and evaluating recovery efforts, educational leaders can continue to improve their crisis response techniques. Most recently, educational leaders realized the importance of transparent, clear and consistent communication throughout the pandemic, and many will carry those lessons with them throughout the rest of their careers. 

What Can I Do with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership? Find Out at University of the Cumberlands 

When pondering the question of “What can I do with an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership?” University of the Cumberlands is proud to support and develop the next generation of educational leaders. We offer an innovative and engaging online Doctor of Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) degree that emphasizes the importance of ethical decision-making, institutional improvement and research skill development. The curriculum is embedded with opportunities for leadership and interpersonal skill development, allowing graduates to easily transition into administrative positions in education. 

Request more information about our online doctoral degree programs today.