Beyond Leadership Theory to Making a Difference in Urban Schools: Engaging Graduate Students in Real World Learning

Abstract

This paper explores new and important thinking on two university levels. First is an examination of how to more fully engage university graduate students in significant learning experiences, and secondly, how graduate students in school leadership can begin to address real world problems in urban school districts. This paper seeks to move well beyond school leadership theory into practice, and to inspire a re-imagining of our urban school programs, and a reexamination of the issues and problems that prevent highly capable urban youth from reaching their full potential.