Chapter 2: Assessment Leadership: A Systems Perspective

Drawing on systems theory, this chapter provides a framework for understanding the knowledge and skills needed by leaders at all levels of the educational system to lead for assessment. First, background is provided on the emergence of standards related to assessment and leadership surrounding assessment as well as preparation and perceived competence of school leaders in assessment. Next, by applying Angyal’s (1969) distinctions between relations and systems, the case is made that assessment is indeed a system and therefore a systems perspective to assessment leadership is appropriate. Drawing inspiration from Stein and Nelson’s (2003) conceptualization of leadership content knowledge, assessment leadership is then discussed in terms of assessment as a nested system that is influenced by internal and external factors with implications for the type of assessment leadership needed at each level in the system. A case is made for assessment leadership grounded in tenets of systems thinking. The chapter ends with broad knowledge, skills, and dispositions that educational leaders should have at any level in the open, nested system that characterizes public education.