National Framework of Professional Standards for Change Leadership in Education

The ten professional standards form what Francis Duffy refers to as a "National Framework of Professional Standards for Change Leadership in Education." Each standard has examples of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that the research suggests are important for effective change leadership. Duffy's hope is that this proposed national framework will result in (1) state departments of education creating a professional license for change leadership in school districts; and (2) schools of education in colleges and universities designing new graduate-level programs specializing in preparing educators to become change leaders. Following the presentation of the proposed standards, Duffy offers an innovative design for a graduate-level program to prepare teams of change leaders in education. This idealized program of study incorporates learning experiences that prepare educators at the education specialist degree level to lead the process of creating and sustaining systemic transformational change in school districts. The learning experiences, in conjunction with the proposed standards, can then be used by state departments of education to create a professional license for change leadership in education. Contents of this article include: (1) The Need for Systemic Transformational Change in School Districts; (2) Change Leadership Competencies; (3) Emotional Intelligence and Change Leadership; (4) The Need for Effective Change Leadership Standards and Preparation Programs; and (5) A Proposed Program of Study for Preparing Change Leaders in Education. An index is included.