The Development of Educational Leadership and Teaching Professions in Germany

Teachers and school leaders are agents in a complex, ever-evolving system. Over time, there has been a shift towards team-orientation, the professionalization of teachership and leadership. This article presents a brief overview of several aspects of the German education system. First, the system itself is briefly introduced, including an introduction to the autonomy of the German federal states with regard to matters of education. This is followed by a short presentation of school leadership in Germany and how the role of school leaders has evolved over time. Next, teachership and the evolution of the teaching profession in Germany are briefly characterized. This also includes a brief section on standards for teacher training. Next, aspects of the professional development of teachers and school leaders are presented through the findings of several studies, chiefly the TALIS survey. Finally, challenges with regard to the professional development of teachers and school leaders in Germany are discussed.