Walden’s EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration (Principal Preparation) program was approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education for meeting the standards and requirements set by the Ohio State Board of Education for principal licensure (Grades PK–6, 4–9, and 5–12) in Ohio.
To qualify for the Ohio principal license, Walden candidates are required to know certain aspects of the Ohio education system, including the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators and the Ohio Standards for Principals.
Ohio delineates 10 standards for principals.
Standard 1. Mission, Vision and Core Values
The effective educational leader develops, advocates and enacts a shared mission, vision and core values.
1.1 The effective educational leader works in collaboration with students, staff and other stakeholders to develop, enact and evaluate a data-informed shared mission, vision and core values.
1.2 The effective educational leader will model, communicate and advocate for the school’s mission, vision and core values in all aspects of leadership.
Standard 2. Ethics and Professional Norms
The effective educational leader acts ethically and according to professional norms.
2.1 The effective educational leader understands, upholds and models professional ethics, policies and legal codes of professional conduct.
2.2 The effective educational leader models and sets high expectations for conduct that promotes professional norms for students, staff, other stakeholders and self.
Standard 3. School Improvement
The effective educational leader implements collaborative structures and shared leadership to analyze data and causality, align evidence-based strategies to deliberate goals, develop the capacity of staff, and partner with internal and external supports to improve learning conditions and outcomes.
3.1 The effective educational leader develops the capacity of staff as leaders by establishing structures for collaboration that promote the analysis of data to identify areas of greatest need.
3.2 The effective educational leader develops a focused plan with processes and procedures for implementation.
3.3 The effective educational leader collaborates with teachers and other stakeholders to select, implement and monitor the impact of evidence-based strategies that align to the district and building goals and makes necessary adjustments.
3.4 The effective educational leader engages and partners with staff, public and private sectors to create and support a culture of continuous improvement.
Standard 4. Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
The effective educational leader fosters an environment of effective and rigorous personalized instruction by ensuring each student has equitable access to teachers, leaders and learning supports.
4.1 The effective educational leader supports staff in recognizing, respecting and employing each student’s strengths, diversity and culture as assets of both teaching and learning for personalized instruction.
4.2 The effective educational leader ensures that each student has equitable access to effective teachers, challenging learning opportunities, educational resources and social support.
4.3 The effective educational leader uses standards to align, focus and implement systems of curriculum, instruction and assessment within and across grade levels to promote high expectations for student learning and core values of the school.
4.4 The effective educational leader promotes the effective use of technology in the service of teaching and learning.
Standard 5. Professional Capacity of School Personnel
The effective educational leader supports all staff by promoting and organizing an environment focused on continuous improvement and personal growth to achieve positive outcomes for each student.
5.1 The effective educational leader supports teachers and staff by providing ongoing actionable feedback, as well as individual and group professional development opportunities to promote continuous improvement aligned to the focused plan.
5.2 The effective educational leader employs Ohio Standards for Professional Development to organize the school as a professional learning environment to achieve positive outcomes for each student.
5.3 The effective educational leader continually improves effectiveness of staff and self through dialog, reflection, study and other professional development opportunities.
Standard 6: Equity and Cultural Responsiveness
The effective educational leader models, supports and cultivates a school culture characterized by equity and inclusiveness.
6.1 The effective educational leader demonstrates cultural knowledge and sensitivity in decision-making, practices and interactions with staff, students and families.
6.2 The effective educational leader supports students and staff by establishing norms of respect, caring, learning and safety.
6.3 The effective educational leader cultivates and monitors a school culture characterized by equity and inclusiveness.
6.4 The effective educational leader confronts and addresses individual and collective behaviors that disregard and or defy equity and cultural responsiveness.
Standard 7: Community of Care and Support
The effective educational leader develops and sustains positive partnerships with and among students, staff and stakeholders to create a safe and caring school environment.
7.1 The effective educational leader establishes and sustains a professional culture of engagement and commitment to the education of the whole child.
7.2 The effective educational leader uses and sustains coherent systems of academic, physical, social and emotional supports to meet the needs of each student.
7.3 The effective educational leader develops and sustains a school environment in which students, staff and stakeholders are valued, trusted, respected and cared for.
7.4 The effective educational leader builds and supports positive partnerships among students, staff and stakeholders that collectively develop and sustain a safe and caring school environment.
7.5 The effective educational leader promotes a healthy work-life balance for staff and self.
Standard 8: Meaningful Engagement of Families and Community
The effective educational leader develops and sustains partnerships with families and the community by acknowledging the school as a community resource and understanding the context of its existence within the larger community.
8.1 The effective educational leader develops and sustains positive, collaborative and productive partnerships with families and the surrounding community.
8.2 The effective educational leader uses the school as a resource to identify and address community needs and understands the context of its existence within the larger community.
8.3 The effective educational leader maintains a purposeful presence in the community to understand, value and employ the community’s cultural, social, socioeconomic, intellectual and civic resources.
8.4 The effective educational leader builds and sustains productive partnerships with public and private sectors to promote continuous improvement and student learning.
Standard 9: Strategic Staffing
The effective educational leader is integral to the recruitment, hiring and assignment of staff to ensure representation of diverse expertise and skill sets are aligned to the priorities of the focused plan while also promoting staff professional growth, cultural competence and opportunities for leadership.
9.1 The effective educational leader participates in the acquisition of high-quality recruits.
9.2 The effective educational leader develops and/or uses clear selection criteria and hiring processes.
9.3 The effective educational leader aligns the assignment of staff to students’ needs to ensure the use of staff members’ diverse expertise and skill sets and culturally responsive practices.
9.4 The effective educational leader provides opportunities for staff to assume leadership roles within the school.
9.5 The effective educational leader implements an evaluation process that promotes the professional growth and performance of staff.
Standard 10: School Operations
The effective educational leader develops and implements structures to maximize learning through relationships, management, fiscal responsibility and adherence to district and state laws, policies and procedures.
10.1 The effective educational leader collaborates with staff to support and facilitate policies and procedures that ensure a smooth progression for students through their school careers.
10.2 The effective educational leader develops and uses productive professional relationships with students, staff, district personnel and other stakeholders to positively impact school operations.
10.3 The effective educational leader plans and executes a fiscally responsible budget ensuring that federal, state and local guidelines are followed to support the focused plan.
10.4 The effective educational leader develops and implements the schedules and other structures to maximize learning.
10.5 The effective educational leader demonstrates and communicates a working knowledge of Ohio public education laws, rules and requirements, as well as district policies, procedures and agreements, as appropriate.
10.6 The effective educational leader collaborates with local authorities and students, staff and other stakeholders to create, implement, monitor and maintain a school safety plan, per state regulations.