Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School

Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of public or private elementary or secondary level schools.

Median Annual Wage: $89,540

Education: Master's degree (63%); Post-master's certificate (21%); Bachelor's degree (9%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Principal; Assistant Principal; Superintendent; Middle School Principal; High School Principal; Elementary Principal; School Superintendent; School Administrator; Athletic Director; Special Education Director

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School.

More Management Careers

  • Observe teaching methods and examine learning materials to evaluate and standardize curricula and teaching techniques, and to determine areas where improvement is needed.
  • Collaborate with teachers to develop and maintain curriculum standards, develop mission statements, and set performance goals and objectives.
  • Enforce discipline and attendance rules.
  • Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate primary and supplemental staff.
  • Evaluate curricula, teaching methods, and programs to determine their effectiveness, efficiency, and utilization, and to ensure that school activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Counsel and provide guidance to students regarding personal, academic, vocational, or behavioral issues.
  • Establish, coordinate, and oversee particular programs across school districts, such as programs to evaluate student academic achievement.
  • Set educational standards and goals, and help establish policies and procedures to carry them out.
  • Plan and lead professional development activities for teachers, administrators, and support staff.
  • Determine allocations of funds for staff, supplies, materials, and equipment, and authorize purchases.
  • Prepare and submit budget requests and recommendations, or grant proposals to solicit program funding.
  • Determine the scope of educational program offerings, and prepare drafts of course schedules and descriptions to estimate staffing and facility requirements.
  • Review and approve new programs, or recommend modifications to existing programs, submitting program proposals for school board approval as necessary.
  • Direct and coordinate activities of teachers, administrators, and support staff at schools, public agencies, and institutions.
  • Recommend personnel actions related to programs and services.
  • Prepare, maintain, or oversee the preparation and maintenance of attendance, activity, planning, or personnel reports and records.
  • Participate in special education-related activities such as attending meetings and providing support to special educators throughout the district.
  • Organize and direct committees of specialists, volunteers, and staff to provide technical and advisory assistance for programs.
  • Direct and coordinate school maintenance services and the use of school facilities.
  • Advocate for new schools to be built, or for existing facilities to be repaired or remodeled.
  • Plan and develop instructional methods and content for educational, vocational, or student activity programs.
  • Develop partnerships with businesses, communities, and other organizations to help meet identified educational needs and to provide school-to-work programs.
  • Meet with federal, state, and local agencies to keep updated on policies and to discuss improvements for education programs.
  • Plan, coordinate, and oversee school logistics programs such as bus and food services.
  • Review and interpret government codes, and develop programs to ensure adherence to codes and facility safety, security, and maintenance.
  • Collect and analyze survey data, regulatory information, and data on demographic and employment trends to forecast enrollment patterns and curriculum change needs.
  • Coordinate and direct extracurricular activities and programs such as after-school events and athletic contests.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School.

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School.

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