Leadership Competency Framework

Definition. Creating, communicating, and sustaining a shared, future-focused vision that inspires collective action.

Leadership behaviors. Articulates a compelling vision; aligns goals to it; tells a clear story of where the school is headed and why.

Evidence of mastery. Staff and families can describe the vision; decisions and budgets visibly align to it.

Development activities. Draft a one-page vision; facilitate a visioning workshop; audit decisions for alignment.

Suggested resources. Strategic Planning · vision-casting masterclass · stakeholder communication toolkit.

Growth progression. Emerging states a vision → Transforming embeds it across the system.

Definition. Leading the improvement of teaching and learning so every student achieves at high levels.

Leadership behaviors. Conducts walkthroughs; gives actionable feedback; protects instructional time; leads on curriculum and assessment.

Evidence of mastery. Rising student outcomes; consistent high-quality instruction; teachers cite useful feedback.

Development activities. Calibrated observation cycles; lead a PLC; co-plan a unit with a teacher.

Suggested resources. Instructional Leadership Excellence · observation rubric · coaching playbook.

Growth progression. Emerging observes → Transforming builds a self-improving instructional system.

Definition. Translating vision into a coherent, prioritized strategy with clear goals, resources, and accountability.

Leadership behaviors. Sets a theory of action; sequences priorities; monitors progress and adapts.

Evidence of mastery. A living strategic plan; goals met on schedule; tradeoffs made deliberately.

Development activities. Build a strategy map; run a quarterly review; conduct a root-cause analysis.

Suggested resources. Strategic Planning · Leading School Improvement · OKR template.

Growth progression. Emerging writes a plan → Transforming drives coherent system strategy.

Definition. Recruiting, developing, retaining, and empowering people to do their best work.

Leadership behaviors. Hires well; coaches; delegates; builds trust; distributes leadership.

Evidence of mastery. High retention of effective staff; strong engagement; a visible leadership pipeline.

Development activities. Run a stay interview; build a development plan; mentor an aspiring leader.

Suggested resources. Teacher Retention & Workforce Leadership · coaching course · feedback frameworks.

Growth progression. Emerging manages tasks → Transforming grows other leaders.

Definition. Stewarding budgets, facilities, schedules, and systems so resources serve the mission.

Leadership behaviors. Aligns budget to priorities; builds efficient systems; manages risk and compliance.

Evidence of mastery. Balanced, equity-driven budgets; smooth operations; resources reach classrooms.

Development activities. Build a priority-based budget; audit a key process; design the master schedule.

Suggested resources. Data-Informed Leadership · budgeting toolkit · operations checklist.

Growth progression. Emerging manages a budget → Transforming ensures system-wide resource equity.

Definition. Building genuine partnerships with families, communities, and stakeholders to support students.

Leadership behaviors. Listens to families; engages diverse voices; communicates transparently; builds coalitions.

Evidence of mastery. Strong family engagement; trusted community relationships; partners invested in the school.

Development activities. Host a community forum; map stakeholders; co-create a family-engagement plan.

Suggested resources. School Culture & Climate · engagement survey · communications planner.

Growth progression. Emerging informs families → Transforming co-leads with the community.

Definition. Leading with integrity, equity, and care, modeling values and holding to them under pressure.

Leadership behaviors. Acts on values; ensures equity; makes principled decisions; takes responsibility.

Evidence of mastery. Consistent, fair decisions; equity gaps closing; high trust across the community.

Development activities. Analyze an ethical dilemma; run an equity audit; clarify your leadership values.

Suggested resources. Leadership Simulations · equity framework · decision-making rubric.

Growth progression. Emerging follows norms → Transforming shapes an ethical culture.

Definition. Fostering a culture of learning, experimentation, and improvement to meet a changing future.

Leadership behaviors. Encourages smart risks; pilots and scales ideas; leads change; embraces new tools responsibly.

Evidence of mastery. Successful pilots adopted; staff propose ideas; the school adapts ahead of need.

Development activities. Run a small pilot; lead a change initiative; build an improvement-cycle routine.

Suggested resources. Educational Innovation · Leading Change · AI for School Leaders.

Growth progression. Emerging tries new ideas → Transforming builds a self-renewing organization.