Home » Programs » School Leadership: Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements for the School Leadership Concentration
The HTH GSE M.Ed. in School Leadership culminates in four student work products: a school design plan, a leadership philosophy statement, a leadership project, and a reflective journal. To produce these work products, students work with their Mentor Leader and their GSE advisor, take a series of courses, and engage in a number of practicum experiences. Each student presents and discusses these work products in their digital portfolio, which they present to their committee and to community members prior to graduation from the program.
Work Products
School Design Plan: In this design plan, students will address all aspects of developing a new school or implementing a new program in an existing school. Aspects may include developing a school/program mission and vision, recruiting students and faculty, building community relationships, building a new facility or improving an existing one, writing a school charter and getting it approved, developing and managing a budget, designing a professional development program for teachers and staff, creating a school/program schedule, developing a technology plan, and creating and working with a board of directors and advisory board.
Leadership Philosophy Statement: Students will write a leadership philosophy statement that includes a literature review of different approaches to leadership and a discussion of their emerging leadership philosophy.
Leadership Project: With the help of their mentor and advisor, students will design and implement a leadership project that taps into the interests and talents of the student while addressing a need at the host school. They will then prepare a report/tangible work product and present their project design, activities, outcomes, and reflections at the HTH Summer Institute.
Reflective Journal: Students will keep a journal throughout their time in the program. The journal is a place for students to reflect and connect thoughts and questions generated through their daily observations, interactions with colleagues and students, course readings, and practicum experiences. The journal serves as a tangible record of each student’s evolving thinking and learning and is central to the HTH GSE’s mission of developing reflective practitioner leaders.
The Digital Portfolio
Each candidate’s digital portfolio in the School Leadership concentration will include, but not be limited to:
- The candidate’s resume.
- The candidate’s school design plan, which includes a description of the school’s student body, community, and the larger societal context informing his/her plan.
- The candidate’s leadership philosophy statement.
- A discussion of the candidate’s leadership project. This should include annotated evidence of the need addressed, the products produced, and the results found. Evidence can include observational notes, lessons plans, units of study, flyers, contracts, descriptions, meeting agendas, photos, video, performance evaluations, journal entries, etc.
- Written reflections drawn or adapted from the candidate’s journal that demonstrate a deepening understanding of the HTH design principles in the dimensions of inquiry & design, leadership, and reflection.
The Master’s Committee and Assessing Student Learning
Each master’s committee for the School Leadership program consists of the
candidate’s GSE faculty advisor, another GSE faculty member, and their
Mentor Leader, all of whom must hold a master’s degree or higher. All
members of the committee will take an active role in supporting and advising
the student throughout the year.
Prior to graduation, candidates submit their Digital Portfolio to their master’s committee for assessment. This committee reviews and assesses the portfolio using a rubric that identifies satisfactory growth in the dimensions of inquiry & design, leadership, and reflection. If there is any discrepancy between the two grades, a third individual (GSE faculty member, Mentor Leader or HTH expert teacher) will assess the portfolio and make a final determination. This ensures a clear, fair, and effective assessment process.