Educational Management According to Philip Hallinger and Anthony Murphy (2019)
Philip Hallinger and Anthony Murphy define educational management in their 2019 book, "Educational Management and Leadership: Theory and Practice" as:
"The process of organizing, leading, and controlling resources to achieve educational goals in a complex, dynamic environment."
They emphasize that educational management involves both technical and interpersonal skills, and requires managers to balance multiple priorities while addressing the needs of students, teachers, and the community.
Key Elements of Educational Management
Hallinger and Murphy identify five key elements of educational management:
1. Planning: Identifying and setting goals, developing strategies, and allocating resources to achieve them.
2. Organizing: Establishing structure, roles, and relationships within the organization to support goal achievement.
3. Leading: Motivating, inspiring, and directing others to work effectively towards shared goals.
4. Controlling: Monitoring progress, evaluating results, and making adjustments as needed to ensure goal attainment.
5. Decision-making: Gathering information, considering alternatives, and making timely and informed decisions that align with educational goals.
Challenges of Educational Management
Educational managers face various challenges, including:
- Complex and often conflicting priorities
- Limited resources and budget constraints
- Meeting the diverse needs of students
- Dealing with external pressures (e.g., government policies, stakeholder expectations)
- Balancing accountability with autonomy
- Navigating a rapidly changing educational landscape
Essential Skills for Educational Managers
To effectively address these challenges, Hallinger and Murphy suggest that educational managers require the following skills:
- Strategic thinking: Ability to develop long-term vision and plan for future success.
- Communication: Ability to convey ideas effectively and build relationships.
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with others to achieve shared goals.
- Problem-solving: Ability to identify and resolve issues in a timely and efficient manner.
- Data analysis: Ability to interpret and use data to make informed decisions.
- Cultural sensitivity: Ability to understand and respect diversity among students, families, and staff.
- Ethics: Ability to make decisions that are in the best interests of students and the educational community.
Conclusion
Hallinger and Murphy's definition of educational management highlights the importance of leadership, organizational structure, and resource allocation in achieving educational goals. They emphasize the complexity of the educational environment and the need for managers to be skilled in both technical and interpersonal domains. By developing the necessary skills and addressing the challenges, educational managers can create effective learning environments that empower students and promote educational excellence.