Preparing to Lead: Lessons in Principal Development for High Performing Education Systems

Posted on November 3, 2017October 27, 2017 by coreeducation

Of all in-school influences on student learning, leadership is second only to teaching quality. Indeed, when it comes to whole-system improvement, some argue that improving the quality of school leadership is a higher strategic priority than improving the quality of individual teachers, due to a principal’s influence across a school. While school leadership is routinely Read more about Preparing to Lead: Lessons in Principal Development for High Performing Education Systems[…]

School Staffing Models Can Support Principals as Instructional Leaders

Posted on July 19, 2017July 14, 2017 by coreeducation

With the rise of new academic standards, more rigorous educator evaluation and support systems, and a growing population of students who need additional supports, expectations for public school teachers are rising and, in turn, so are expectations for school leaders. Principals are increasingly expected to focus on “instructional leadership” by engaging more deeply in areas Read more about School Staffing Models Can Support Principals as Instructional Leaders[…]

Principal Professional Development: New Opportunities for a Renewed State Focus

Posted on March 21, 2017March 16, 2017 by coreeducation

AIR’s Cortney Rowland has written a new report examining the opportunities provided by ESSA for states to focus on principal professional development. Again and again, states and districts have focused on teachers rather than principals when making policy and allotting funds and resources for professional development and support. Principals’ groups and other educators have long Read more about Principal Professional Development: New Opportunities for a Renewed State Focus[…]

Guidance for Principals to Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities

Posted on February 22, 2017February 16, 2017 by coreeducation

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR) Center released PSEL 2015 and Promoting Principal Leadership for the Success of Students with Disabilities, which outlines key steps every state can take to ensure all school principals are prepared to create and lead learning environments Read more about Guidance for Principals to Improve Outcomes for Students with Disabilities[…]

The Principal Story Video Series

Posted on February 15, 2017February 10, 2017 by coreeducation

School leadership matters. During the past decade, there has been a growing recognition among educators and policymakers that school principals must be instructional leaders who ensure that high-quality teaching occurs in every classroom. This view is backed up by a solid body of evidence showing that leadership places second only to teaching among school-related influences Read more about The Principal Story Video Series[…]

The School Principal’s Role in Reducing Teacher Turnover

Posted on February 9, 2017January 30, 2017 by coreeducation

Roxanne Garza of New America recently examined the important role principals play in building a school environment that reduces teacher attrition. Excerpts from her article appear below: Recent debates about ensuring all students have effective teachers have largely centered on how to recruit, prepare, evaluate, and—more recently—develop them. But these efforts to “build a better Read more about The School Principal’s Role in Reducing Teacher Turnover[…]

Evaluation of Performance Measures for Teachers and Principals

Posted on December 2, 2016November 22, 2016 by coreeducation

According to a report from the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), three performance measures used for evaluating teachers and principals provided some information to distinguish educator performance and led to increased feedback. The study examined the first year implementation of a set of three performance measures: observations of teachers’ classroom practices; Read more about Evaluation of Performance Measures for Teachers and Principals[…]

New Report Examines Measures Used in New Jersey’s Principal Evaluation System

Posted on November 18, 2016November 12, 2016 by coreeducation

A new study finds both strengths and limitations in the measures used for New Jersey’s new principal evaluation system. The study, released by the Institute of Education Sciences, was conducted by Regional Educational Laboratory Mid-Atlantic and focused on the statewide principal evaluation system that was fully implemented by the state of New Jersey during the Read more about New Report Examines Measures Used in New Jersey’s Principal Evaluation System[…]

New Toolkit and Crosswalk for Leadership Standards Alignment

Posted on November 15, 2016November 12, 2016 by coreeducation

The Center on Great Teachers & Leaders at AIR has released a new toolkit and crosswalk, Aligning Leadership Standards to the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. Many states are transitioning or considering a transition to the new Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Developed in Read more about New Toolkit and Crosswalk for Leadership Standards Alignment[…]

CTQ Releases Consensus Papers

Posted on September 12, 2016September 9, 2016 by coreeducation

The Coalition for Teaching Quality, a group of more than 100 national, state and local teacher, principal, civil rights, disability, rural, youth, higher education, and related education advocacy organizations has released three consensus policy papers to help inform state and district implementation of ESSA. Building a Strong and Diverse Teacher and Principal Recruitment Read more about CTQ Releases Consensus Papers[…]

Developing Excellent School Principals: Considerations for State Policy

Posted on June 3, 2016May 27, 2016 by coreeducation

Even though school principals have a powerful impact on teaching and student achievement, in general they remain relatively low priorities on crowded state education policy agendas. A new report recently released suggests a number of possible actions that state policymakers can consider to raise the profile of principals on policy agendas and ensure they are Read more about Developing Excellent School Principals: Considerations for State Policy[…]

A Policymaker’s Guide to School Leadership

Posted on May 19, 2016May 13, 2016 by coreeducation

Whether the goal is to enhance instruction, create a culture of excellence, or broaden education options for parents, it’s nearly impossible to improve schools without strong leaders. This is hardly news; much evidence has indicated the importance of effective principals for decades. Yet reform strategies have largely lacked a coherent plan to upgrade leadership, even Read more about A Policymaker’s Guide to School Leadership[…]

Steps to Transform Schools into Leadership Machines

Posted on April 29, 2016April 23, 2016 by coreeducation

Great teachers matter-we all know that. But great principals matter nearly as much. When they lead a team of teacher-leaders in instructional excellence, student learning can soar. But then what? Can principals like these take their leadership to the next level and stay connected to teachers and students? In An Excellent Principal for Every School: Read more about Steps to Transform Schools into Leadership Machines[…]

February Issue Brief: Effective School Leadership

Posted on February 22, 2016February 16, 2016 by coreeducation

School administrators serve as instructional leaders and set the tone for the culture of a school. The principal’s influence is pivotal. In this month’s issue brief, we explore effective school leadership and recommendations for improving the training, support and evaluation of educational leaders. You can read the issue brief here: http://us5.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a4ae2b1b129b9f8a29d50b80f&id=ade984414e&e=60969abf82 To ensure you do Read more about February Issue Brief: Effective School Leadership[…]

Principal Support Framework

Posted on February 17, 2016February 12, 2016 by coreeducation

The University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership (CEL) has released an updated version of the Principal Support Framework. Representing the best thinking of educators from across the country, the framework describes key actions of central offices that effectively support principals as instructional leaders. School system leaders can use this framework and the related self-assessment Read more about Principal Support Framework[…]