At the Crossroads of Theory and Practice: Evaluating a Yearlong University/District Collaborative Professional Development Effort

• In Event: Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Evaluating School Leadership Development Efforts

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of a year-long “Leadership Academy” professional development initiative collaboratively designed through a University/District partnership and customized to meet specific self-identified needs of the district. The Academy involved approximately 40 leaders from ten campuses, whose primary needs were (1) achieving a common vision for substantive change, (2) sharpening understanding of instructional leaders’ responsibilities, and (3) fostering advocacy for students’ success to diminish an achievement gap between student groups. The campus leaders attended a 4 day summer institute followed by a series of monthly trainings designed and delivered by the University faculty. This mixed-methods descriptive study will utilize data collected from pre- and post-Academy interviews and surveys to evaluate the campus leaders’ perceived effectiveness of the program.

Author

• Scott Bailey, Stephen F. Austin State University