Managing and Leading

A dearth of highly qualified principal candidates has been reported by school districts across the nation. In some parts of the country nearly sixty percent of principals will retire, resign, or otherwise leave their positions during the next five years (Peterson, 2002). 

Despite the principal shortage, educational administration programs are graduating an increasing number of certified school leaders. Unfortunately, the processes and standards by which many principal preparation programs traditionally screen, select, and graduate candidates are often ill-de­fined, irregularly applied, and lacking in rigor. As a result, many aspiring admin­istrators are too easily admitted into and passed through the system on the basis of their performance on academic coursework rather than on a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions needed to successfully lead schools (NPBEA, 2001). Although these aspiring administrators are certified, they may not be equipped for the shifting role of the principal from manager to effective instructional leader. As a result, an increasing number of districts are creating intense support systems for principals to build the skills they need to effectively lead schools.  In fact, the emer­gence of district owned and operated programs has become an increasingly attractive way of supplying the administrative pipeline with qualified candidates.

The research project, “School Leadership Study: Developing Successful Principals”, commissioned by The Wallace Foundation and produced by the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute in conjunction with The Finance Project, examines eight highly developed pre- and in-service program models that address key issues in developing strong leaders. To read it in its entirety, go to http://www.srnleads.org/data/pdfs/sls/sls_rr.pdf.

If you don't have the time to read this project, download it and peruse through later.  In the meantime, watch the following video where The Wallace Foundation President M. Christine DeVita talks about key lessons learned in educational leadership at Wallace's national education conference in Washington, D.C.

Enjoy!

Peterson, K. D. (2002). The professional development of principals: Innovations and opportunities.Educational Administration Quarterly. 38(2), 213-232.

Peterson, K. D. (2002). The professional development of principals: Innovations and opportunities. In M. D. Young (Ed.),

Ensuring the university’s capacity to prepare learning-focused leadership. Columbia, MO: National Commission for the Advancement of Educational Leadership Preparation.

National Policy Board for Educational Administration. (2001). Recognizing and encouraging exemplary leadership in America’s schools: A proposal to establish a system of advanced certification for administrators. Washington, DC.