Including Ethics in the Study of Educational Leadership

Abstract

This article offers reasons why ethics should be included within leadership preparation and suggestions for infusing it in leadership education classes. The authors argue that a framework of making ethical decisions, overviews of codes of conduct, and examinations of case studies of ethical and unethical behaviors become intentional components of leadership education curricula. __________________________________________________________________________________ here is vast agreement that ethics is at the heart of a moral society and should be the vision for schools of the 21 st century (

The Perceived Views of Principals and Supervisors towards Their Ethical Leadership in Some Selected Primary Schools of Eastern Ethiopia

“…The research on ethical leadership reveals that leadership in an organization holds the responsibility of developing and sustaining conditions in which people are likely to behave themselves and minimize conditions in which they may be tempted to misbehave. On the other hand, Bowen, Bessette, and Cham (2006) have conducted research on including ethics in the study of educational leadership. It shows that educational leadership faculty must serve as role models for those entering the field.…”

Tensions and Transformations

“…In doing so, future leaders are expected to reflect "on how to recognize and weigh the considerations that go into ethical deliberation" (Howe & Miramontes, 1992, p. 2). Arguably, engaging students in relevant, reality based cases and activities foster deliberate and more consistent decision-making abilities for candidates to draw upon for future practice (Bowen, Bessette, & Chan, 2006;Howe & Miramontes, 1992;Shapiro & Stefkovich, 2010;Stefkovich, 2006;Strike, 1998Strike, , 2007Strike & Soltis, 1998;Strike & Ternasky, 1993).…”

“…Professionals in education confront ethical dilemmas as difficult as those of other professions and ethics encompass the values and principles that influence or govern their day-to-day conduct (Bowen et al, 2006;Murdick et al, 2014;Strike & Ternasky, 1993). As they analyze problematic situations and strive to focus their decision-making efforts and actions on behalf of the best interests of the student, they make decisions that have a profound effect on children and their families (Black & Burrello, 2010;Kleinhammer-Tramill et al, 2013;Skrtic, 2012;Stefkovich, 2006;Zaretsky, 2004).…”

Facilitating Democracy in a Testing Culture

“…School leaders are often in the difficult position of having to make complex decisions, relating to issues of balancing of time and resistance to change (Drago-Severson & Pinto, 2004). School leaders need to have the proper tools to successfully negotiate these dilemmas (Bowen, Bissette, & Cham, 2006). According to Mezirow (1981), if dilemmas are handled effectively, they can serve as an opportunity for educators to participate in personal self-reflection and gain an increased understanding of conflicting values, accordingly learn about their personal and professional values and beliefs.…”