The National Center for Education Statistics reports that schools have become more socioeconomically and culturally diverse than ever before. In fact, between 2010 and 2021, the percentage of public school students who were Hispanic or Black increased, and the percentage of students who were White decreased.
However, the learning outcomes for students of different genders, ethnicities and economic backgrounds have not changed much. Therefore, a critical need exists for education systems to better serve diverse populations of students.
The online Master of Science in Education (MSEd.) in Educational Leadership program from Northwest Missouri State University prepares graduates for a wide range of positions (like principal, education director or district administrator) that require a social justice perspective. These roles are vital to creating a safe and inclusive school culture that fosters academic achievement for all students.
Why Is Social Justice Important in Education?
Social justice is the concept of fairness and equitable treatment across social institutions. ImpactTulsa defines equity in education specifically as “the provision of personalized resources needed for all individuals to reach common goals.” While goals might be the same for all students, “the supports needed to achieve those goals depends on the students’ needs.”
Equity in social institutions includes support and opportunities in housing, healthcare and employment for all people. In addition, general social justice aims to protect human rights regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or socioeconomic status.
Education Week reminds readers that social justice is crucial in educational settings. In the 19th century, education pioneer Horace Mann described education as humanity’s “great equalizer.” However, if access to education is not proportionate to all students or schools cannot meet the needs of all learners, then it cannot serve as the equalizer (or equitable force) we believe it to be.
To orient education toward equitable access and treatment, schools need leaders who are aware of the needs of their diverse communities and who can transform their schools to meet those needs.
What Does Social Justice Leadership Look Like in Schools?
In his 2007 study published in Educational Administration Quarterly, Dr. George Theoharis defines social justice leadership as a subgroup of school leaders guiding “their schools to transform the culture, curriculum, pedagogical practices, atmosphere, and schoolwide priorities to benefit marginalized students.”
While the idea and application of educational social justice has evolved since Dr. Theoharis’ study, one understanding remains true: To lead social justice changes in schools, school leaders must seek and discover solutions for problems that generate and reproduce societal disparities in their schools and districts.
School leaders must be well versed in data analysis and organizational development to accomplish this goal. Northwest’s Data Literacy and Assessment for Schools course prepares school leaders to find, evaluate, analyze, prioritize and integrate data for school improvements.
Northwest also equips school leaders with knowledge and experience in management to aid in solving problems identified through research. For instance, its Managerial School Leadership course provides future leaders with skills to create safe, functional and effective school environments.
Who Can Be a Social Justice Leader?
The face of school leadership has evolved. School leadership roles encompass everything from administrators to instructional coordinators to teachers. Various positions offer unique approaches to social justice leadership based on their areas of expertise and student impact levels.
Northwest’s online MSEd. in Educational Leadership program produces school leaders who tackle social justice from a variety of positions within schools. Students will evaluate data, identify specific equity issues and develop a plan to address these issues. The program’s Multicultural Education for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion course specifically helps students apply cultural competence, emotional intelligence and inclusion practices to support student well-being and learning. By building a classroom of students who feel accepted and supported, school leaders can ensure positive effects on the wider school environment.
Additionally, students in Northwest’s program have many options for further training and certification. Those in the program can apply for certification in educational leadership or building level leadership (depending on the state they plan to work in). Applicants to the program must hold current classroom level teacher certification.
School leaders must understand the issues affecting the communities seek to transform. Northwest’s online MSEd. in Educational Leadership program prepares future leaders to not only understand these issues but also identify and address them by catalyzing change across their schools and districts.
Learn more about Northwest’s online MSEd. in Educational Leadership program.
