The Internship in Educational Administration

What is internship and how can a school justify the expenditure involved? In order to answer these questions distinction is made between the internship as a vehicle to maintain, the status quo and as a type of training which will develop an educational leader capable of improving an educational system. If improving education is to be an underlying objective of the internship, then the intern must be assigned to responsibilities which involve him with staff and program development, rather than relegating him to clerical chores which do not enhance his stature. By proper planning and assignment the intern and the employing school system can derive mutual benefit. The educational practitioner, the intern and the university coordinator should work cooperatively as they plan and conduct the internship experience. Such cooperative efforts, supported with a clear understanding of the basic purpose to be served, will prevent the internship from becoming a training ground for routine and clerical chores. The internship is warranted only if designed to develop educational leaders.