Structure principal preparation internships around mastery of leadership competencies and strengthen university-district partnerships¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 2 claims (1 for, 1 mixed) · 2 studies (1 review, 1 qualitative), q2 · 0 of 2 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

This implementable recipe from the Illinois reform redesigns the preparation internship so that candidates work toward mastery of defined leadership competencies rather than accumulating hours of observing leadership, and it pairs coursework with strengthened university-district partnerships so preparation reflects local schools' needs. The study reports such internships "have improved the depth, clarity and practicality of the experience," with instructional leadership a clear focus of both internship and coursework. Continued effort and additional resources are said to be required to make the intensive program successful.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Partnerships between universities and school districts to align preparation with local school needs
• Additional resources, which stakeholders across Illinois understand are required for the intensive program to succeed

Constraints¶

• Some worry important administrative and managerial skills have been de-emphasized under the new focus

Target Learners¶

• Principal candidates in university preparation programs

Target Learning Goals¶

• Mastery of leadership competencies, especially instructional leadership

Claims¶

• Resource limitations from the redesigned policy are felt at the program, district, and principal candidate levels [~W]
• Close collaboration between principal preparation programs and districts is associated with more coordinated candidate preparation [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Use district-preparation program partnerships to create pathways identifying high quality educators for district leadership positions

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• McIlhagga, Doug. (2016). Study Finds Successes, Challenges in Illinois Shift to Intensive Principal Preparation. Illinois Education Research Council at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. https://consortium.uchicago.edu/publications/navigating-shift-intensive-principal-preparation-illinois-depth-look-stakeholder