In this blog post, we’re diving into Strategic Leadership, the very first content category on the SLLA 6990 and Praxis 5412 leadership certification exams. This is a foundational topic that shows up often on test questions—and it’s also critical for real-world school leadership. Understanding how vision, mission, and shared goals work together will help you think like a strategic leader and like a test maker, giving you a strong advantage on exam day.
What Is Strategic Leadership?
Strategic leadership focuses on establishing a clear vision, mission, and goals that guide a school community forward. On the exam, this content area is not about memorizing definitions—it’s about understanding how leaders collaborate with others, use data, and make shared decisions to improve student outcomes.
A key word to remember for both the exam and practice is shared.
Vision, Mission, and Shared Goals Explained
-
Vision is the big-picture, overarching belief about what the school stands for and where it is headed.
-
Mission explains how the school will achieve that vision.
-
Goals are specific, measurable targets that guide daily work and decision-making.
While vision and mission communicate the school’s culture and values, goals are often the most important when it comes to implementation. On leadership exams, goals are frequently tied to data such as student achievement, attendance, discipline, and school improvement plans.
📌 Exam Tip: If an answer choice includes phrases like shared goals, collaborative decision-making, or stakeholder input, slow down—those are strong indicators of correct strategic leadership practices.
The Importance of School Culture and Clear Purpose
A strong vision and mission help define the culture and climate of a school. When staff members understand and believe in these statements, they feel empowered and aligned in their work. Schools where everyone knows the purpose—rather than just seeing it posted on a wall—tend to function more effectively.
This is why leadership exams emphasize authentic buy-in, not surface-level compliance.
Shared Leadership: A Democratic Process
Strategic leadership is not a solo activity. Principals and assistant principals do not create vision, mission, and goals on their own. Instead, effective leaders:
-
Involve teachers
-
Include staff members
-
Consider student and parent voices
-
Collaborate with leadership teams
This democratic approach ensures that goals are meaningful, realistic, and supported by the entire school community.
📌 Exam Connection: Avoid answers where the leader acts alone. Strategic leadership always includes collaboration.
Using Data and Needs Assessments for Goal Setting
Before setting goals, leaders must analyze data. This includes:
-
Reviewing student achievement data
-
Disaggregating data to identify gaps
-
Conducting a needs assessment
A needs assessment simply answers three questions:
-
Where are we now?
-
What gaps or needs exist?
-
Where do we want to be?
From there, the school community aligns its vision, mission, and goals to address those needs.
Building Vision and Goals Across the School Community
In an ideal scenario, committees may include teachers, administrators, students, parents, and support staff. This inclusive approach strengthens ownership and increases the likelihood of success. While real-world constraints exist, exams often describe this “perfect world” version of leadership—so keep that in mind when answering questions.
Strategic Leadership and Exam Success
To succeed on the SLLA 6990 or Praxis 5412:
-
Think shared, not individual
-
Look for data-driven decision-making
-
Choose answers that reflect collaboration, needs assessments, and community input
-
Remember that goals drive action more than slogans
Strategic leadership is about guiding a school forward together, with clarity, purpose, and evidence.
Strategic leadership sets the foundation for both exam success and effective school leadership. When you focus on shared goals, data-driven planning, and collaboration, you’re not only choosing the right answers—you’re thinking like a true leader.
Stay strategic in your studies and boost your confidence with our comprehensive Leadership Resources—designed to guide you every step of the way
🎥 Watch the full video here for a clear breakdown of strategic leadership and exam tips 🎥