The Canadian School Leader: Global Forces and Future Prospects

From my perspective, public education’s primary purpose is the advancement and betterment of humanity through the individual and collective development of children and young people; the school leaders and teachers who work with and serve them; and the families, communities and societies connected to them. [...] The “call to action” has been made to move from future prospects to new realities: now is the time for the profession to advocate to and collaborate with governments, district and system leaders, professional associations, people and organizations working in and with schools, and communities to advance humanity in and through public education for current and future generations. [...] In summer and fall of 2016, principals across Canada were invited to respond to an online survey and offer their perspectives regarding the following issues: changes in teaching and learning conditions; the role of markets, businesses and government in public education; and district support for schools and their leaders. [...] The study, including its survey, builds on The Future of the Principalship in Canada: A National Research Study (CAP and ATA 2014), a research project that identified global and national trends and critical influences shaping the work of Canadian school leaders, and ascertained the short- and long- term supports that administrators hoped to receive to support their work in the context of change. [...] Participants in The Future of the Principalship in Canada called for support in response to the following external demands and changes: loss of trust in schools and teaching profession, increased accountability measures, social and cultural changes, and technological advances.