Work with local leaders to assess, analyze and anticipate emerging trends and initiatives and their impact on education.

1. Collaborate with local leaders: Educational leaders recognize the importance of collaborating with local leaders, such as community officials, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and other key stakeholders, to assess, analyze, and anticipate emerging trends and initiatives that may impact education. By engaging in partnerships and building strong relationships with local leaders, educational leaders can gain valuable insights, share resources, and collectively address challenges and opportunities facing the education system.

2. Assess and analyze emerging trends: Educational leaders actively monitor and assess emerging trends and initiatives in education, as well as broader social, economic, and technological trends, to understand their potential impact on educational programs, policies, and practices. This may involve conducting research, gathering data, and seeking input from stakeholders to identify opportunities for innovation, improvement, and adaptation in response to changing circumstances.

3. Anticipate impact on education: Educational leaders anticipate the impact of emerging trends and initiatives on education by analyzing potential opportunities, challenges, and implications for students, educators, schools, and communities. This involves considering factors such as equity, access, technology integration, workforce development, and community engagement to inform decision-making and strategic planning efforts. By proactively addressing emerging trends, educational leaders can position their schools or districts to respond effectively to changing needs and priorities.

To support educational leaders in this endeavor, here are some web links to relevant resources:

• Local Government and Community Resources: Educational leaders can collaborate with local government agencies, chambers of commerce, economic development organizations, and community-based organizations to access resources, data, and information about local trends, initiatives, and priorities: National League of Cities, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Community Development Block Grant Program

• Education Policy and Research Organizations: Organizations like the Education Commission of the States (ECS), the RAND Corporation, and the Brookings Institution conduct research and analysis on education policy, trends, and innovations, providing reports, briefs, and resources to inform decision-making: Education Commission of the States, RAND Corporation Education Research, Brookings Institution Education Policy

• Professional Learning Communities: Educational leaders can participate in professional learning communities (PLCs), networks, or associations focused on educational leadership, policy, and innovation to exchange ideas, share best practices, and stay informed about emerging trends and initiatives in education: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

By working with local leaders to assess, analyze, and anticipate emerging trends and initiatives and their impact on education, educational leaders can foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement in the education system to better serve the needs of students and communities.