Assessment Task One Essay question What is Educational Leadership and why is it important? Task type: written essay Word length: 1250 words Assessment purpose “Educational leadership is key to building high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC) programs and driving the process of continuous improvement. Strong and effectiveness leadership supports all teachers in early childhood settings to portray evidence-based practices that advance children’s learning” (Page & Tayler, 2016, p. 113). Understanding educational leadership is critical to improving educational programs for young children in the early years of education in Australia. Leaders in ECEC and primary school settings are required to have a strong understanding of educational leadership to support teacher effectiveness and improved child learning outcomes in the crucial early years of life. Assessment details For this task you are required to use current theory, research, policy and practice perspectives from interviews to: • define educational leadership. • explain why educational leadership is important. • highlight how educational leadership is core to teacher effectiveness and child learning. Assessment Criteria 1. Demonstrated understanding of current theory, research, policy and practice regarding educational leadership. 2. Demonstrated understanding of the link between educational leadership, teacher effectiveness and child learning outcomes. 3. Presentation of a clear, concise understanding of educational leadership that is supported by evidence. 4. Provision of credible and relevant evidence to support discussion (minimum of 10 references using the APA referencing system). Assessment Structure (required) Introduction: Set the context and state the position of your paper, . what the paper will cover. Analyse the importance of educational leadership in the broader context. Note in the introduction that educational leadership in ECEC and primary school settings is proven to support teacher effectiveness and child learning and development outcomes. Body paragraphs: Explain how educational leadership is defined in key policy documents, research papers and educational leadership interviews. Use CURRENT Australian theories/research literature and synthesis theory/research/policy literature. Analyse how educational leadership improves teacher effectiveness Body paragraphs: Draw on key policy documents, research papers and educational leadership interviews to explain why educational leadership is important. Focus on how educational leadership is key to teacher effectiveness and child learning and development outcomes. Construct a clear cohesive argument and synthesis literature and own voice to present a consistent message Conclusion: Draw together the key threads of your argument to highlight the importance and impact of educational leadership in ECEC and primary school settings. Use APA 7th edition referencing and adhere to APA conventions and rules. *You may focus on either Early Childhood Educational Curriculum settings or primary school settings
