Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management
Education, Training and Development - Schooling
Purpose and Rationale
Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management
Purpose:
The purpose of the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management is to empower and enable school leaders to develop the skills, knowledge, and values needed to lead and manage schools effectively and efficiently, to work together in communities of practice and to contribute to improving the quality of delivery of education across the school system. The qualification aims are derived from this purpose:
- Improved collaborative and critical leadership and management of the curriculum.
- Evidence- and action-research based decision-making in schools, making optimal use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
- Schools that are run as efficient and effective learning organisations.
- Schools that work with and for the community.
- Schools that build a caring and supportive school culture and community.
- Schools that contribute to continual strengthening of the school system.
Rationale:
In line with the National Development Plan (NDP) vision for professional and accountable management and leadership in the public sector, the Advanced Diploma in School Leadership and Management provides structured learning opportunities that promote quality education in all South African school contexts through the development of a corps of education leaders who apply critical thinking and understanding in pursuit of democratic transformation. The qualification aims to provide a structured professional learning pathway for current and aspirant school principals that will equip them with the knowledge and competences to manage and lead their schools effectively and in alignment with national goals. Its purpose is to empower and enable school leaders to develop the skills, knowledge, and values needed to lead and manage schools effectively and efficiently, to work together in communities of practice.
Outcomes
- Apply theories in the various content domains with a view to evaluating different leadership and management practices.
- Display a deep and systematic understanding of current thinking, practice, theory and methodology in an area of specialisation.
- Produce a research project on education leadership and management that is relevant and informed by current theory.
- Encourage school leaders to reflect on their professional and personal development### and ensure a high ethical standard in the practice of education leadership and management.
- Apply problem-solving strategies to everyday leadership and management challenges.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Explore and interrogate educational theories: Learners should be able to engage with a wide range of educational theories related to leadership and management in the curriculum.
- Describe key frameworks and models: Learners should be able to explain the foundational frameworks and models that form the basis of knowledge in the field of leadership.
- Explain advantages and disadvantages: Learners should be able to critically analyze different leadership theories, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and determine the most suitable approach for specific leadership situations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Show awareness of personal leadership strengths: Learners should be able to identify their own leadership strengths and areas for improvement.
- Critically reflect on leadership concepts: Learners should be able to analyze and reflect on leadership and management theories, concepts, and ideas.
- Conduct and report on professional practice: Learners should be able to conduct an inquiry into their own professional practice and report on their findings.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Conceptualise theoretical lens: Learners should be able to develop a theoretical framework to guide their research.
- Develop coherent research proposal: Learners should be able to create a research proposal under supervision.
- Follow ethical procedures: Learners should align their research practices with the ethical standards of the Faculty and follow the established ethical procedures.
- Select appropriate methodologies: Learners should choose appropriate research methodologies considering quantitative and qualitative research principles.
- Design research instruments: Learners should design research instruments that ensure validity and trustworthiness.
- Communicate research findings: Learners should effectively communicate their research findings in a well-written and technically sound research report.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Explore instructional practices: Learners should investigate essential instructional practices that facilitate leadership development.
- Plan for human resources: Learners should develop strategic plans to determine human resource needs aligned with organizational goals.
- Manage financial resources: Learners should effectively plan, organize, lead, and control financial management within educational institutions.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Assess contentious issues: Learners should identify and explore contentious issues within their selected specializations.
- Collect and manage data: Learners should use appropriate technologies to collect, manage, secure, and analyze data sets effectively.
Integrated Assessment:
- Applied competence focus: Assessment will be based on the application of knowledge and skills.
- Reflective portfolio: Learners will submit a reflective portfolio drawing evidence from the entire program.
- Workplace project: Learners will complete a project aimed at addressing a contextual challenge within the school setting.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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