What is the role of advocacy in school leadership?

The role of advocacy in school leadership primarily involves advocating for resources. School leaders must act as champions for their schools, ensuring that their students, educators, and programs receive the necessary resources and support they need to thrive. This can involve securing funding, materials, technology, or facilities that enhance the educational environment. Effective advocacy can lead to improved student outcomes and a more robust education system by aligning community support, governmental resources, and institutional policies with the needs of the school.

While encouraging teacher collaboration, conducting community service, and developing better curricula are important facets of a school leader's role, they are typically seen as part of broader instructional and operational responsibilities. Advocacy specifically focuses on leveraging support within and outside the school to create conditions that allow teaching and learning to flourish, making it a critical function of effective school leadership.