The Education Leadership class offers students an opportunity to explore current issues and challenges facing public education in the United States.  Once a world leader in educational performance, the U.S. now faces a national crisis: as a whole, the U.S. public education system does not produce students who are ready for college or competition in the global marketplace. 

This course focuses on the human capital challenge facing U.S. K-12 public education. Teacher and principal effectiveness are the two most important school-based factors impacting student achievement.  The course explores innovative strategies designed to drive higher academic achievement for all students; entrepreneurial solutions to prepare, recruit, select, evaluate, and retain effective teachers and school leaders; and leadership approaches to bring about systemic change.  Case studies and expert speakers help students learn about real organizations, leaders, the challenges they face, and the strategies they employ to address those challenges.

The course is scheduled to meet on the following dates: January 24, February 7, February 21, March 21, April 4, and April 18.

Erin McMahon

Adjunct Professor

Erin McMahon is a Senior Advisor to the Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and SEcondary Education. In this capacity, Erin works on return to school initiatives due to COVID-19 . Erin is the former Chief Academic Officer of the KIPP Foundation, responsible for ensuring that KIPP regions made significant progress toward 2025 academic goals. Professor McMahon came to KIPP from Denver Public Schools, where...

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