Harvard University to Offer Groundbreaking Doctoral Program for Education Leaders

This is very exciting news! Thank you for stepping up to the plate and initiating some much needed change.

I do trust that the candidates will be selected based on their lack of long grey beards and their willingness to dump the trash reather than to try to rebuild what is broken.
I will watch with interest, and point candidates toward your efforts.
And they should not all be victims of the American System of Education.

This is fantastic! Such innovative professional educator programs have been along time coming.

That's a brilliant innovative program. I want to learn from the great Harvard pioneers to satisfy my dream of transforming the education system in America and Egypt. What are the criteria for applying? I hold masters in the arts of teaching from the University of San Fransisco.
Kind Regards,
Hanan

How can I apply for this program?

thanks

Hi Michael Rodman,
I want to be a part of change. I will be contacting you guys soon.

As a HGSE grad from the leadership program (MEd) I can't imagine a better program that what is being described. However, I'm half-way through my PhD at William and Mary, so I will miss this opportunity. Ugh!

Can you add a FAQ section to address some of the nuts and bolts? For example, who are target candidates, ideal mix of 25 candidates, pay during third year, expenses not covered, expectation for Summers 1, 2, and 3? Thx.

I am a classroom teacher with 30 years of teaching experience. I hold three degrees. My biggest problem in delivering an excellent educational program to my students is lack of planning and preparation time.

I teach high school English and I need time to read essays, comment on essays, conference with students individually, and analyze errors most frequently made in the assignments.

If I had the time to do all I know to do in order to help each student grow to their potential, then the students would benefit and our society would benefit.

The answer is to treat teachers as professionals and give them the time to prepare professionally for their classes. Another issue that would make a difference is to limit class size to no more than 22-24 students at the high school level.

If you pay teachers as professionals, then you will attract competent, bright young people to the profession. As it stands now, why should a college graduate with scientific and mathematical abilities agree to teach? What is the incentive?

Talent in teaching is observable and should be rewarded and compensated accordingly.

Julia Wise
High School English Teacher
Emerson College, M.F.A.

This will be a great opportunity for us here in American Samoa. How do I go about applying?

For the past 15 years I have been a leader in the School Choice/Charter School movement. I have been searching for a "Practiced-based Doctoral Program" that can meet my needs as an Educational Administrator-Practitioner here in Hawaii. I am excited about this new program, and look forward to the opportunity to apply.

Fred Birkett, Ed.M '95
University of Hawaii Manoa, (Faculty)

Having just attended the Future of Learning Institute at HGSE in August and returning to my University with fresh and informed visions for teacher education and P-12 education I have realized that I need to move on, and find a new environment that will allow me to focus my energy and passions in a endeavor that will result in positive action. I will contact Michael Rodman in the morning.Thanks to all the dedicated folks at Harvard for making this important new program happen.

I graduated from IEP in 2006 and have worked in the Ministry of Education of Colombia since. I am very interested in this amazing program you are now offering and am wondering if it is also targeted towards international students or only towards students interested in working in the US. Thank you very much
Adriana Molina

Further to Adriana Molina's question ... can you confirm that there will be spots available to international students, in my case, from Canada? (www.danpontefract.com)

You have addressed not just a geographically localized need but one felt the world over.Congrats on your path breaking initiative which is bound to have global ramification. I am an educator and chief executive of a leading private educational group in India.Would this program be open to international students. It would not only be exciting but a great service to humanity-at-large, if the world's most respected name in education would open this program to students from other nations as well.

Fantastic news!!!

I was so glad to read this news. Would love to be part of this program also...

Combining education, leadership, business, government management, ideal program!!!

Congrats to the cross organizational efforts from Harvard on this program!

Excellent idea...

We are excited to learn of your interest in the Doctor of Education Leadership.

We invite you to introduce yourself to us, if you haven't done so already, so that we may provide you with information about the program and events, as it becomes available.

The program seeks applicants who are committed to the K–12 education sector and have the potential to become leaders in its transformation. We are looking for candidates from a variety of prior work experiences that include leadership/managerial responsibilities.

Information on how to apply is available in Admissions and Financial Aid section of the website.

Feel free to contact us with your questions at askedld@gse.harvard.edu or 617.495.3414.

This new program shows that "Harvard" is highly concerned by the future of America.

This sounds like a very exciting opportunity. It also sounds like 3 years off from my workplace. Is it possible to commute to evening/weekend courses so I can continue in the job I love and stay connected to the field. I am very interested and would appreciate any additional information as it becomes available.

I am interested in this program and i think it is an excellent start to addressing the many issues with education.

Do you have expectations for your ideal candidate? Who should apply for this program? I have an elementary teaching credential and a master's in RWL, is this program for someone like me?

Jamie

Sirs: I am intrigued by this new offering. Having received a C.A.S. in Social Studies Education in 1972, I refrained from returning for an Ed.D. due to the cost. This new program might be an even better opportunity to achieve greater effects in improving public education than I could have accomplished by years of near-the-bottom classroom teaching (or even department/ district content area management) that I opted out of for economic reasons. Thanks! I'll have to think about this and alert younger educators as well.

What an exciting idea. I am sorry to read that it must be done full time. Perhaps, as this program progresses, it will be possible to offer a part-time alternative for those of us who are supporting families and cannot afford to stop working. As a editing note, I would remind your webmaster that the Massachusetts Department of Education is now the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Perhaps someone would want to change the name in the link on the right side of your webpage.

Integration of doctoral studies with NGO (Non Governmental Organizations), NPOs(Non Profit Organizations) and PBOs(Public Benefit Organizations) is justifiable for several reasons: Firstly the services associated with (profit or non profit) businesses are need driven. In other words entrepreneurs initiate businesses because they realize (a gap in existing services) that existing provisions of services do not address some essential service, or if they do, such a service is not addressed adequately. Since they initiate such businesses, there is sufficient motivation to carry on supporting their visions in spite of setbacks.

Secondly, doctoral studies create the scope for thinking and working independently in terms of the effort it takes to build, research and position the brand for the business; longitudinal studies associated with doctoral studies are relevant for developing the organizational strategy, and building quality management systems and processes. Sustainable organizations supported by sound research (doctoral studies) have potential for building goodwill and firm foundations, and eventually benefit masses of people in the long run. The scope of reasons that support the idea of doctoral studies and business initiatives are endless.

This is an exciting news. I have been wanting an educational leadership and administrative program. I am looking forward to it.

Fidelia

This is exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you! I intend to apply and hope to be a part of the first cohort.

Essentially, this program is a last-ditch effort to purge the public education system by making highly-trained individuals the change in the public sector. The programs sounds smart and much needed. Good job, Harvard!

The program seems to be launched for me. That is the very way I want to go. And I am from China, do you have the interest letting me be one of the 25?!

I would like to learn more about this fantastic opportunity. It sounds like what I have been trying to do for several years now. How will the first cohort be chosen? I would like to be considered, as this is tailored to both my professional experiences and my academic pursuits.

Sounds like a great program. I currently hold an M.Ed in Educational Leadership obtained through the American Indian Leadership in School Administration fellowship program at the University of Oklahoma. I have been a principal for two years and am currently overseeing the Indian Education Program for a large urban district. I plan on pursuing this opportunity and using the tools to better education in Indian country.

I m a lecturer of a university of Thailand. I graduated docteral in Educational Admiistation; and I m interest to join in this program. Could I join this program? If I could, please tell me about your requirment.

Reading this gave me goose bumps. How exciting, but we need more than 25 spots! Thanks for starting this and I am pleased the Obama administration is supporting your endeavor.

This sounds like an awesome program. I currently hold a M.ED in Educational Administration and have been looking for a doctorate program that will allow me to expand my research on teacher effectiveness. I plan on pursuing this opportunity and becoming a member of the first cohort of 25. Can you please provide more information regarding the selection process, expenses covered, living arrangements, and internship?

I would love to participate in a program like this one. I understand that the classes are on-campus. Does the possibility exist for students to complete those classes in the summer so that students in-practice - working in far-flung districts can continue to do so while completing the coursework. I live 7 hours north of the Montana border so moving to Boston is not an option. Would Harvard consider building some partnerships with districts in Canada?

I agree with many others that this program sounds exciting for the future of education. My only question, who should apply? I have been a mathematics teacher at the secondary level for 5 years. I also hold a teaching license for history. Last year I completed my master’s degree in administration. I am young compared to many others in the field. I have not taking any of the tests (GRE or GMAT). They were not required when I took my graduate courses. Is it worth my time, effort, and money to take these tests? Does someone like my self stand a chance to be accepted into this program? Thank You!

What a bright out look to the future of education!

I was very happy to read in the newspaper that Harvard will be offering a doctoral degree in Leadership. What is the profile of the type of students that you are seeking for the program? I have many years of educational experience with Master's degrees and would like to seek a doctorate at this time.

While my undergraduate experience emphasized the integration of disparate fields, this has not always been the case during my career. Having worked in corporate business, small businesses, and entrepreneurial startups as well as non-profits and academia, I look forward to the possible challenge of balancing insights gained from my graduate work in education and law with practical real world experience. I am excited that there seems to be an emphasis on helping to transform the world through the efforts of individual leaders. This enthusiasm is reflected in my college thesis on the power of individuals to effect positive change as well as my efforts as a person with special needs to reinvent myself in ways that hopefully make me and the world better for the effort.

Hello,

My name is Craig Tidline. I am an elementary principal in North Carolina. I have been in administration for 5 years and I have been considering going back to school to complete my doctorate degree. A friend mentioned to me about a program offered by Harvard that offered a completion of a degree where the tuition may be free of charge. I am interested in obtaining information on this program. Please send me some information. Thank you very much.

My father was a professor, so was my mother,..people said that we're a three (3) generations of education teachers, consider that my grandpa was the Christian educator in the 18th century. The last five years, I work on Director Educations at IICD (Indonesian Institute for Corporate Directors) giving lecturers on Governance & Directorship. The same conclusions that we did experience well were the followings: 1. Education is a non ending matter, 2. Education is the starter to knowledge implementation, 3. Without the right Education target, and system, the education would suffer implementation problems,.These things proclaim a big need on this "Doctor in Education Leadership" program, in order to reach education objective in an implementation stage...(Tony Silitonga - IICD)

Its great to read about such programme from the Harvard University.I hope with this unique programme ,we will have more searchers than researchers.I think,the great Prof.of the university will guide leaders to think more from the heart rather than from the brain.Congratulations for such programme.

I am so glad to learn of this new and sorely needed opportunity. In the midst of lit searching, studying and writing my thesis for my M.Ed. in Literacy, it became quite evident to me that until the great chasm of politics, policy and practice was bridged, there would be no measurable or marked change in our systems of education or in the lives of the ultimate stakeholders, our students.

Thank you for your vision.

HGSE's new degree, Ed.L.D., unfortunately contains the letters "LD," which every K-12 educator knows, stand for "Learning Disabled." I think the University could have made a better choice.

I agree with many of the statements above. I've taught ages 5-80 in public, private and non-profit in a variety of subjects, as well as developed programs and services in the community as an activist volunteer. I'm currently matriculated in an Ed.D program, but can't afford it because of job cut backs. Great that Harvard is putting "action" into their philosophy! How about waiving the GRE's in place of "real life" experiences, not just on a score number???? I already have my application on file with Harvard minus the GRE.

What a fantastic initiative. Please consider the possibility of offering this course online/distance ed in the future. I am sure that there are many educators world wide who would want to participate in a degree of this nature.

Fantastic. Another hokey degree invented by a diploma mill.
Funny thing to say this about Harvard, but seriously, exactly when was it demonstrated through scientific, double blind methodology that "Research clearly shows that no school improvement effort can succeed without effective leadership."?
Perhaps somebody should think about the fact that all this leadership crap is making education less, not more expensive. Rather than helping kids, it reduces the number of teachers available to teach and increases the number of paper pushers.
We don't need more bureaucrats, we need people who do things. We don't need to study how to teach, we need to teach. And make it affordable by not paying people outrageous salaries (not the teachers, but all the bureaucrats who suck the lifeblood out of the system).

Thank you for listening. Sorry to be a buzzkill.

Thanks HGSE and pertner schools' leadership for offering such a desirable program and the Wallace Foundation for sponsoring this great service to humanity. I foresee unprecedented impact of the program worldwide.

I teach Educational Leadership and Management courses at one of the leading private sector univeristies in Pakistan. I wish at some point of time HGSE and my university could join hands together for serving South East Asian region.

Thanks for providing space for my comments.

I respectfully disagree with any assertion that devalues the importance of effective leadership, particularly in public schools. I have witnessed first hand that no amount of money, technology, or materials infused into an unhealthy organization will have a measureable impact on student learning and achievement. The paradigm shift described by HGSE is necessary for leading these organizations into the 21st century!

The proposition is, perhaps, the greatest ever objective to inflict fundamental transformations. This would trigger global changes in due course provided that the need for implementing this revolutionary concept is spread all over the world. I am a teacher (Asst. Prof.) of a leading and government recognized private educational Institution in West Bengal, India. I believe (and also dream) that in every country Harvard University would reach physically and start imparting globally optimized education and work for global integration together with an upsurge of civilization. This program should be open to international students also.

Best regards.
Biren Hazra
India

I am delighted to hear about this program. I plan to be the first applicant. I want to build the skills to make school district change happen especially in the large urban schools where top quality leaders with solid effective vision and immediate applicable solutions are desperately needed.

Can a retired Marine with a M.A. in Management be accepted Fall 2010 as one of the first 25? I would truly sacrifice a lucrative second career to pursue the Ed.L.D. to affect the future of our educational system. I believe the military background can enhance the diversity of the program and inevitably the leadership level in education.

We need a new generation of educational visionaries (not highly paid paper pushers)...willing to think outside the box...We need the educational equivalent of "cyber trojans" who will "insert" themselves into the present system's DNA and "go viral" with new and fresh thinking, aided by new technologies and innovations in order to change/revolutionize the present system. I submit that in order for this to succeed the program must not draw from the same tradional "applicant pool," but rather cast a wider net (e.g., military, management consultants, MBAs, etc.) Also, kudos on your list of Partners. Consider the "High Tech High" innovative school system in San Diego in the future. They are at the "tip of the spear" when it comes to innovation. Best Wishes!

I question if this program is truly meant to lead educational reform. The program requires participants to attend Harvard full time for three years. What person, in the prime of their careers, can take three years off to further their education? If the program met when elementary and secondary schools are typically off session, (summer or holiday schedule) then yes, I can see it working for those in the field.

I think Mr Inkster has hit the target audience- retired professionals looking to take part in a great program.

It's a shame, I would love to try and apply but with 2 children in college and a hefty monthly mortgage payment precludes me from even thinking about taking off for three years. I would think other new and even seasoned professionals would feel the same way.

Ivory Tower Thinking at it's finest!

This is such an exciting program in such an exciting time of change. In reading comments here, I find it to be fantastic that by simply making this innovative program public, Harvard creates a learning community of those of us interested and enthused.

I would be the perfect candidate for this program (which is virtually unheard of)if it would be offered in the summer months when individuals in the education field are not required to work. However, if there was a reasonable stipend along with participating in this program that would eliminate the problem of taking off for 3 three years.

hi my name is natalie and i'm only 12 years old going on to 13. i have always dreamed of going to harvard university doctorate school. people say i'll never get into your school because it's hard to get into but i know i can make it. that's why i am trying so hard to get good grades and i have so i'm going to make it to the end. and i hope you remember me.

This is what you stated: It will allow us to meet our goal of producing a new generation of education leaders, who will have a laser-like focus on student learning, and will know how to translate that into large-scale system change. They will be successful by altering education policy debates, forging powerful public-private partnerships, and restoring public confidence in our schools."

During my daughters' visit to the university a week ago, she found herself in a room with "Diversity Candidates" who questioned her ability to handle the "rigors" of a Haravard education given the fact she graduated from a state university.

All this, in spite of her graduating with an excellent education while holding down a full time job. Additionally, she found herself being paraded around the campus while wearing a name tag draped around her neck entitled, “Diversity Candidate”.

What confuses me is that she actually did not apply, she was recommended by her professors because of her academic excellence, teaching ability and real world experience. You purport to want to change the dynamic but your selection process screams that you want more of the same.