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Education Leadership
The Texas High School Project’s Education Leadership initiative is jointly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wallace Foundation and conducted in partnership with the Texas Education Agency. This initiative was established in recognition of the critical role quality school leaders, including principals and teacher leaders, play in the success of school reform efforts.
Goal: To strengthen the link between leadership development, a more focused learning environment, and increased student performance through:
· An increase in the number of principals and teacher leaders able to successfully lead change in high-need schools, and
· Alignment of district and state conditions and policy on leadership development, training and certification, and performance pay.
Pilot High School Principal Certification Program
Current leadership programs are not producing a sufficient number of high-quality leaders capable of doing the tough work of high school reform. Typical principal certification requirements do not address some of the most critical skill development, focusing instead only on traditional pedagogy. At times district and state conditions do not create an environment that is motivating and supportive of principals doing this work.
THSP awarded grants to five universities to establish more rigorous certification requirements and more specialized training for high school principals. Building on best practices nationwide, the programs selected are incorporating innovative elements such as multi-disciplinary curriculum, learning experience in authentic contexts, mentors and cohort groups, and extensive collaboration with area schools and school districts. Generally, the programs will:
· Design a principal preparation program for high school principals based in business leadership, model best practices, and innovative training and residency through a joint program of the business school and education school.
· Formalize partnerships with local school districts.
· Recruit a select cohort of students.
· Be monitored using a performance assessment data system to set a standard for future certification programs.
| Business Classes |
Education classes |
Budgeting / Accounting
Human resource management
Organizational change
Marketing / Public relations
Negotiation
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School politics and governance
Instructional design and leadership
Assessment
School law and policy
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Pilot programs opened in June 2006
· Sam Houston State University
· Texas Tech University
· University of North Texas
· University of Texas – Austin
· University of Texas – San Antonio
What we do
· Support leadership reform across school districts
· Provide technical assistance for leadership development in redesign schools
· Pilot new approaches to principal and teacher recruitment, development, and compensation
· Assist in building capacity for improved school board leadership
· Provide networking opportunities for large urban district superintendents
Key Elements
· District-wide leadership involvement
· School board leadership
Recommended Resources
· Southern Regional Education Board
· Center for the Reform of School Systems
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