27 Nov2017
By Sharon Lovell, Shelley B. Wepner, Robin Anderson and William Henk
UPDATE: Please sign up for a focus group by December 21.
What factors contribute most to the longevity of education deans in their positions? Are there optimal lengths of time for education deans to stay in their roles, and if so, how long and why? What are the personal and professional benefits of remaining in the role as education dean for an extended period?
We invite currently serving education deans who have at least 7 years of experience in this role to participate in one of several focus groups. These focus group sessions, supported by AACTE, will last 45 to 60 minutes and will be conducted during the weeks of January 8 and January 15, 2018, using electronic conferencing technology.
07 Nov2016
Deadline extended: Please respond by December 2
By Sharon Lovell, Shelley B. Wepner and William Henk
The study of the education deanship and what is perceived as contributing to success in that key role is both timely and imperative. Such research can help standing deans reflect on their own characteristics and practices and perhaps adapt them to better effect. It can also assist prospective deans in understanding what capabilities figure to be necessary in increasing their leadership effectiveness should they assume these roles.
We invite your participation this month in a national survey, the “Deans’ Performance Belief Survey,” supported by AACTE. The purpose of this survey is to gauge education deans’ beliefs about the ways of thinking, being, and acting that are essential for doing their jobs.
29 Sep2015
By William Henk, Shelley B. Wepner, Sharon Lovell and Steven A. Melnick
Very little is known about education deans’ perceptions of what they think is important for their actual, effective performance on the job. To address this knowledge gap, we invite deans to participate in a national survey, which we are conducting with AACTE’s support, that will tap education deans’ beliefs about their essential ways of thinking, being, and acting.
But first, here is some more background. In short, effective leadership of a school, college, or department of education (SCDE) is vital in light of both internal and external forces that provide significant challenges for these academic units. For instance, in the realm of teacher preparation, education deans and directors must articulate their role as leaders of change in the field. This charge includes determining ways to provide concrete evidence of how their programs broaden and deepen the learning and mastery of their teacher and leadership candidates, and also the learning that takes place in the classrooms of their graduates.
