Developing Successful Principal
Leadership is second only to teaching among school-related factors in its
impact on student achievement, as the recent study we commissioned from the
Universities of Toronto and Minnesota concluded. For that reason, we all
recognize the need to improve the quality and effectiveness of the
leadership preparation typically provided at university-based programs and
elsewhere. What is needed now is a deeper analysis of the strengths and
weaknesses of these programs and how they can be improved.
Toward that end, NCSL is pleased to share with you this first report,
Developing Successful Principals: Review of Research, in a
Wallace-commissioned series from Stanford researchers. It includes a brief
survey of evidence about the elements of effective school leadership, the
features of successful preparation programs and the multiple pathways to
leadership development. Here is a summary of the findings:
Effective program design: Certain program features are essential in the
development of school leaders, regardless if the program is pre- or
in-service. Effective programs are research-based, provide experiences in
authentic contexts and have a coherent curriculum, use mentors and cohort
groups, and collaborate extensively with area schools.
Multiple pathways to quality development: Innovations in leadership
development have proliferated. Some programs emphasize leadership and
management skills, while others focus on instructional practice, with varied
program structures. Differentiating the value of these programs will
require in-depth research.
Policy reform and finances: Additional research is also needed to
understand how programs are implemented, governed and financed before there
can be effective policy reform.
Over the next two years, Linda Darling-Hammond and her team of researchers
at the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute, in conjunction with The
Finance Project, will help the field gain a clearer understanding of the
characteristics of effective principal preparation, what works and how to
create scalable models that can bring effective leadership to all schools
across the country.
To view the report please visit the following link: Developing
Successful Principals: Review of Research
It is also available in the Wallace Knowledge Center at
www.wallacefoundation.org. Please feel free to
> download copies or share this version. Print copies will be available
late this fall.
Should you request further information about school leadership and
developing successful principals, please contact Jane Best.
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