A District's Foundation

What role does the central office play in the district’s instruction?  Central Office Supervisors play an integral part in instruction by laying the framework for campus leaders, giving them the necessary tools for teachers to deliver consistent quality instruction. Central office does not have a direct relationship with classroom instruction, they have an indirect correlation. Superintendents and curriculum directors facilitate district initiatives built from data analysis of highly effective curricula and programs. These initiatives provide principals with a foundation to conduct their campus; meeting the needs of their teachers, students, and community.

There are many facets to the central office staff that have to work cohesively in order to provide quality professional development for the district. The curriculum director, “provides and identifies professional development that has the greatest potential,” (WASA, 2014) as well as leadership teams to implement it on the campus. The finance director completes state and federal reports to fund innovative programs and professional development initiated by their cohorts. The superintendent is the face of the district and liaison between the school board, their policies, and the work that is being done on campus.

It is evident that the central office supervisors whether it be the curriculum director or the director of finance without one, the other cannot fulfill their duties. Together they provide the necessary framework for teachers to deliver quality instruction in an ever-changing world. As Kathleen Grove stated the “central office and school staff members divide the often overwhelming work of the school system to more effectively serve the students and their families.” (Grove, 2002)

Central office supervisors differ from campus leaders in the presentation of instruction given to the students. The central office provides an implementation plan for the instruction to campus leaders. The campus leaders develop the strategies and timelines for the delivery of instruction to their teachers. Together they work towards the same outcome of high-quality student instruction just with a different audience. 

Central Office Leadership Framework. (2014). Washington Association of School Administrators. https://wasaoly.org/WASA/images/WASA/6.0%20Resources/6.3%20Leadership%20Framework/Download_Files/CentralOfficeLdShpFrmwk.pdf

Grove, K. (2002, May 1). The Invisible Role of the Central Office. ASCD, vol. 59, no. 8. ascd.org/el/articles/the-invisible-role-of-the-central-office