This guide is meant to be an all-inclusive resource about education administration for students and seasoned professionals. Its goal is to help those who are interested in the field find the right resources and also to help people who are seeking employment or currently employed as education administrators find the answers to questions they may have.
In this guide, relevant resources are divided into several categories. These include professional associations, societies, blogs, databases, journals, conferences, government education agencies, administrator education program accrediting agencies and social media links to organizations or notable professionals who work in the field.
Education Administration Associations And Societies
American Association of School Administrators – AASA has more than 13,000 members worldwide and is one of the most well-known organizations for education administrators in the United States. The member base includes everyone from chief executive officers and superintendents to students and professors. Members help form policies for administration and commit themselves to making optimal conditions for students to become lifelong learners.
Association of International Education Administrators – This organization is the world’s only professional association that focuses only on information sharing, advocacy, professional development and networking for education administrators and students. Members of the AIEA share the problems they face, work together to create solutions and help one another overcome obstacles.
National Association of Elementary School Principals – NAESP is an association designed for principals to share the challenges they face and share ideas for solutions to issues. The members include elementary school principals from the United States, Canada and several other parts of the world. One of the main goals of this association is to create the support system needed for principals to become the leaders needed for helping children receive the best learning experience possible.
National Association of Secondary School Principals – The purpose of this association is to promote leadership excellence among principals in middle schools and high schools. Members come from over 45 different countries throughout the world and have access to educational resources, tips for professional development and advocacy for student excellence. The association seeks to create a well-informed and educated world of principals who have the materials and tools needed to be the best leaders they can be.
National Rural Education Association – The NREA is an organization meant to be an advocacy resource for educators, administrators and even community members in rural areas. Rural educators have access to recent legislation and other important information affecting them. The association is also a place for sharing important research, concerns and ideas with other rural educators and administrators.
National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators – The NAFEPA was designed to be the leader of federal programs supporting student success. Its goal is to provide support for educators working with federal programs in their own states and school districts. There is information available for principals, superintendents, educators and program administrators.
American Association of School Personnel Administrators – This organization is the only one that focuses on the needs of education administrators working in human resources departments or those who are responsible for overseeing and hiring school staff. The association provides professional development activities, helpful resources and networking opportunities. The AASPA seeks to become the world’s main resource for promoting effective HR practices for education administrators.
Australian Council for Educational Leaders – The ACEL mostly consists of education administrators in New Zealand, Australia and Papua New Guinea. However, there are members from the United States and other countries, so this is a helpful resource for education administrators interested in policies and issues in other parts of the world.
Education Administrator Blogs
A Principal’s Reflections – This blog has won several awards. The author shares ideas about integrating technology, leadership, best practices and student-centered learning.
The Principal of Change – The author of this blog has been nominated for awards several times. His blog inspires teachers to help kids follow their dreams but also encourages them to seek inspiration from their pupils to continue pursuing their own dreams.
Open Learning Spaces – This blog’s purpose is to share ideas and create discussions about more advanced learning spaces that are designed to meet the needs of all students.
Darcy Moore’s Blog – This blog encourages comments, idea sharing and discussions after posts. Popular topics include teaching, leadership, literature, digital tecnology, social media, music and several others.
School21C – From the posts in this blog, educators and administrators can learn solutions to issues that are unique to this century.
Connected Principals – In this blog, education administrators and students can find valuable information about best practices, leadership, integration, communication and networking.
TBLOGICAL – This blog focuses mainly on technology and how it affects education. Administrators can find useful tools, tutorials, templates and videos to make the technical parts of their jobs easier.
Culture of Yes – Readers learn useful information about everything from parenting and teaching to social media and technology in this blog.
Molehills Out of Mountains – As the name implies, this blog focuses on solving or lessening the unique problems education administrators face.
Reflections of an Elementary School Principal – This blog is a good place for elementary school principals to connect with others and learn solutions to common issues.
Leading Successful and Dynamic Schools – In this blog, Dr. Scott Taylor shares ideas from his many years of experience and education to help administrators avoid mistakes that may prevent the success of their institutions.
The Wejr Board – This blog shares stories relating to several areas of education administration. Everything from learning how to engage parents to personal development is covered.
Education Administration Journals And Databases
EBSCO – This is one of the most comprehensive databases available to education administrators and students. Exclusive access to scholarly articles, research and other bits of information is provided.
Journal of Educational Administration – This journal is designed to meet the needs of education directors, superintendents, principals and other professionals in the field. The research submitted to this journal covers political, economic and social factors relating to education throughout the world.
ProQuest Education Journals – Education administrators and teaching professionals have access to helpful resources focusing on all levels of education. Special education, adult education, home schooling and several other topics are also addressed.
Educational Leadership – This journal addresses the many challenges and issues education administrators face each day. The publication is available in print or online for ASCD members.
NAASP Bulletin – Targeting secondary school principals, this bulletin is available to NAASP members. It is published quarterly and designed to challenge education administrators’ thinking.
Education Administration Quarterly – In this journal, professionals have access to articles about education policy, research, leadership and best practices.
The American School Board Journal – This journal addresses the challenges faced by public school administrators and provides helpful solutions to these issues.
American Educational Research Journal – With relevant research, this publication addresses a wide range of topics from human development to political issues and how they affect education.
The School Administrator – This is the AASA’s monthly magazine publication. It includes instructional materials, leadership information and other helpful resources.
Education Administrator Conferences
AIEA Conferences – The Association of International Education Administrators holds an annual conference with information and insight from experienced administrators around the world. These conferences are known for their depth of rich knowledge sharing.
CASE – The Council of Administrators of Special Education hosts several conferences and seminars throughout the year. These events focus on addressing common issues and promoting leadership skills.
Higher Ed Hero – For education administrators in higher education settings, this site is a valuable resource for nationwide events. The purpose of Higher Ed Hero is to provide administrators in universities, grad schools and even community colleges with valuable tools and knowledge that they can start using immediately.
Education Administrator Educational Resources
Ed.gov – This site has several helpful resources focusing on research, learning tools, tutorials and many other items.
BLS.gov – On this site, prospective students can learn how to become education administrators and what to expect after graduation.
SCEA – The Smart Certified Education Administrator course gives professionals the skills they need to evaluate technological requirements of their schools and districts. Valuable tools and other resources are provided for building a learning environment that is technology enabled.
The NSTA Learning Center – Education administrators can use this site any time to access science content for their schools.
Education Administrator Accreditation
Education Commission of the States – This is a state-by-state listing of all licensing requirements for various levels of education administrators.
Department of Education – This site allows users to search for an educational institution’s accreditation status.
ETS – To find accredited colleges and universities in a particular region of the United States, this is the best site to use.
Popular Education Administrator Twitter Accounts
UT Austin Higher Ed @ut_coe @utaustin – This account provides helpful information not only for UT Austin students but also other students in education administration programs.
John Castelhano @johncastelhano – Students and professionals can learn ways to make positive changes and move forward consistently.
TJ Houston @tjhouston – Education administrators can learn how to advance in technology from this experienced Director of Technology.
Don Ledingham @donjled – This is a great resource designed to inspire education administrators who want to improve their leadership skills.
David Truss @datruss – Followers can find everything from humor to helpful educational resources on this account.
Principal’s Page @principalspage – This is the Twitter account for the Principal’s Page blog. Followers can find inspirational quotes and helpful information for principals.
Arnie Bieber – @arniebieber – This account provides information about current challenges and changes education administrators face.
American Association of School Administrators @aasahq – This is the Twitter account for AASA, which provides information for building a better environment for staff and students.
University Council for Education Administration @ucea – This account shares information designed to help education administrators advance in preparation and practice.
It is also helpful for education administrators and students to search for resources and regulation information within their own states. Each state has its own professional associations, societies, blogs, conferences and various events designed to help people who are in this field or plan to enter it.
