The role of principals stands as a linchpin for student success, teacher satisfaction, and overall school climate. This understanding, reinforced by extensive research, anchored the ASCD webinar, "Strengthening School Leadership: Effective and Empowering Professional Learning Opportunities for Principals," presented by Marjorie Wechsler, principal research manager at the Learning Policy Institute.
Research unequivocally emphasizes the pivotal role of effective principals in influencing student achievement, graduation rates, teacher retention, and broader school outcomes. Wechsler delved into the findings of the report "Developing Effective Principals: What Kind of Learning Matters," exploring the elements of high-quality principal learning and their association with positive outcomes for schools, teachers, and students.
“It is difficult to envision an investment with a higher ceiling on its potential returns than a successful effort to improve principal leadership,” Wechsler shared. “Principals matter. They are a school’s heartbeat.” Here are four key takeaways from two decades of research on effective principal learning:
1. Comprehensive preparation fuels positive outcomes.
Wechsler underscored the pivotal role of high-quality principal preparation and professional development programs. These initiatives correlate with positive outcomes across the board, including principals' effectiveness, school climate, teacher retention, and student achievement. A holistic approach within preparation programs that integrates content learning with practical skill opportunities, such as internships, proves particularly effective.
2. Content learning progresses but requires amplification.
Since 2010, there have been notable advancements in the way principals are prepared for their roles. This progress specifically involves enhancing their content learning—that is, their knowledge and skills—in key areas such as leading instruction, managing organizational change, developing staff, fostering a positive school culture, and addressing the diverse needs of students. However, there's a notable gap between the current access to learning across these areas and the expressed need for more extensive professional development by most principals.
3. Equitable support systems are essential.
Despite its acknowledged importance, learning through internships, coaching, or mentoring emerges as a weak area in national principal preparation. Less than half of aspiring principals with internships get the opportunity to practice leadership skills, and few receive coaching or mentoring. Furthermore, there's a stark disparity in high-quality learning opportunities, with principals serving high-poverty schools reporting fewer resources than their counterparts in low-poverty schools. This emphasizes the urgent need for equitable support systems to ensure effective leadership in all school settings.
4. Policy impacts principal learning.
Wechsler highlighted the critical influence of policies in supporting high-quality principal learning programs. The success of these initiatives hinges on the strength and implementation of public policies. The implications for policy development include enhancing state licensing and program approval standards, investing in professional learning infrastructure such as principal academies, and building robust local pipelines for aspiring school leaders.
Watch the full webinar here.
