School Leadership Resources

On February 27, the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) held a convening on preparing and supporting quality school leaders. The program included a presentation of research and recommendations on effective principal preparation and professional learning and a panel offered local and state perspectives on the critical issue of school leadership.

Researchers discussed seven evidence-based key common elements of effective teacher professional development identified in a new review of 35 methodologically rigorous studies of professional development programs to improve students’ academic outcomes. Practitioners shared how their approaches to professional development are aligned with the research and are improving outcomes for students. Panelists also discussed promising, evidence-based investments in school leadership, including those contained in ESSA state plans that take advantage of the optional Title II, Part A leadership set-aside.

During this forum, new data on the extent, nature, and cost of teacher turnover was presented and recommendations offered for addressing the issue, including evidence-based policies at the federal, state, and local levels to create a strong pipeline into the profession and provide ongoing support to increase retention.

This webinar was designed to inform LEAs (school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools) and partner organizations (institutions of higher education and nonprofits) about the latest research and promising practices in recruiting and retaining excellent educators, particularly in high-need fields and locations. The webinar and associated materials will serve as a resource to LEAs and their partners as they develop CalED proposals.

Investments in teacher and leader preparation advance equity in the high-need communities where schools are often staffed by a revolving door of underprepared and inexperienced teachers. At this briefing, speakers discussed approaches to teacher and leader preparation that are effective in addressing these challenges, such as high-quality residency programs and Grow Your Own models.

As school districts and universities across the nation turn to distance learning, how are educator preparation programs responding? This webinar featured preparation program leaders from the Educator Preparation Laboratory network who addressed such topics as licensing and credentialing, social-emotional learning and trauma-informed practices, and meeting the needs of teacher and school leader candidates through virtual learning.