Managing Evidence: A CAEL Module

Become a more savvy consumer of school research and data.

Overview

In this era of evidence-driven reform, school leaders must learn to harness an array of data to drive improvement.

In this module, you will explore key concepts in performance measurement, research design, and data analysis (qualitative and quantitative) to understand what can be gleaned from different sources. With your cohort, you will discuss the data you have available and learn how to draw on multiple forms of evidence to make more informed policy and programmatic decisions.

Program Details

The Certificate in Advanced Education Leadership (CAEL) provides education leaders with the skills to create transformational, system-level change. The CAEL certificate involves the completion of four, 12-week online modules in which participants move through a cycle of learning, application, performance, and demonstration that includes online activities (e.g., readings, videos, short assessments, virtual discussions) and exercises to implement on the job.

The experience is designed to be both rigorous and flexible. The activities are asynchronous, allowing you to choose when within a given week you complete them. Each week will require 5-7 hours of work, with more guided work during “learning” weeks (2, 3, 4, and 8) and more job-embedded practice and application during the remaining weeks. Each participant will have a designated online learning facilitator to contact directly for support.

Objectives

• Explore research on education interventions to understand how effective studies are constructed and how to use findings to inform system-level decisions
• Identify opportunities to participate in rigorous data collection and evaluation in your system
• Strengthen the capacity of your system to base decisions on quality evidence

Who Should Participate

Current and aspiring leaders in preK-12 school systems, including:

• Superintendents and district-level administrators
• Directors of charter management organizations
• Administrators at state agencies
• Experienced principals and teachers who aspire to system-level roles
• Teams of education leaders seeking to strengthen their skills and collaborative capabilities
• Educators are encouraged to apply as teams to increase their impact

Please note that even if you are applying as a team for a CAEL module, each person will need to submit his or her own application. The team coordinator’s application will contain a section to write in the names of the remaining team members, but a submitted application from a team coordinator is not an official application for multiple people.

About CAEL

The Certificate in Advanced Education Leadership (CAEL), based on the groundbreaking Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, provides current and aspiring education leaders with an innovative and flexible online learning experience that develops a robust understanding of the complexities within educational systems, while honing the leadership skills to create transformational change. 

Led by HGSE faculty members, CAEL offers five distinct 12-week online modules which may be taken separately or pursued as a certificate. Participants who wish to earn the certificate must complete the Leading Learning module and can select three of the remaining four modules to complete within 24 months of beginning the program. Leading Learning can be taken at any point within the certificate timeline, and you can begin with any module and complete modules in any order.

The five modules in the CAEL portfolio are:

• Developing Myself
• Driving Change
• Leading for Excellence and Equity
• Leading Learning (required module for the certificate)
• Managing Evidence

The experience is designed to be both rigorous and flexible. The activities are asynchronous, allowing you to choose when within a given week you complete them. Each week will require 5-7 hours of work, with more guided work during “learning” weeks (2, 3, 4, and 8) and more job-embedded practice and application during the remaining weeks. Each participant will have a designated online learning facilitator to contact directly for support.

Following successful completion of four modules, a final assignment will be required to receive the Certificate in Advanced Education Leadership. This final assignment provides an opportunity to reflect on the CAEL journey and to look forward, considering opportunities for further application. The assignment for the final reflections (which is required but not graded) will be sent to qualifying participants after they have earned their fourth module certificate.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

English language proficiency is a requirement for application to and successful participation in this online course. All participants are expected to have fluency in English, including a basic knowledge of education terminology, in order to effectively engage with the content, complete assignments, and interact with other members of the learning community.

Fees & Policies

Tuition includes all instructional materials. Participants receive a certificate of competency as well as a letter confirming the amount of clock hours awarded per module (60 hours). CAEL does not provide course hour equivalents.

Payment or a purchase order must be received within thirty days of program acceptance and prior to the program start. While a purchase order confirms enrollment, an outstanding balance is maintained until payment is rendered. Click here for more information on payment and financial aid.

Please click here for more information on our on-campus and online refund and withdrawal policies.

The Harvard Graduate School of Education reserves the right to change faculty or cancel programs at its discretion. In the unlikely event of program changes, the school is not responsible for non-refundable travel arrangements or other planning expenses incurred.