A New Approach to Principal Preparation: Innovative Programs Share Their Practices and Lessons Learned
This report outlines effective practices and concrete recommendations for the design of district-based, university-based, and non-profit principal preparation programs. In addition, it includes guiding questions for a preparation program design team, as well as sample selection criteria, interview questions, meeting plans, frameworks, protocols, fact sheets, and more.
Research suggests that strong school leadership is critical for shaping productive learning environments, supporting teachers, and influencing student outcomes. But what characteristics contribute to high-quality principal preparation programs and learning experiences? And to what extent do principals have opportunities to participate in these experiences? To understand the evidence regarding high-quality principal learning, researchers from LPI synthesized peer-reviewed scholarship from 2000 to 2021 that addresses principal preparation and development programs and examined survey results and statewide policies. Through this review, key findings, research implications, and policy implications related to principal preparation and training emerge.
This self-assessment toolkit can help principal preparation program leaders and others assess the quality of pre-service principal training.
