Leadership Preparation in an Era of School Turnarounds: The Promise of University/District Partnership Programs

• In Event: 73.015 - Innovative Leadership Preparation Programs: Processes and Practices to Facilitate Leader Development

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the ways in which a university-based preparation program and an urban school district established a new partnership in order to prepare principals for turnaround leadership. The study drew upon 40 participant interviews that were collected as part of a program evaluation. Data indicate that the partners initially renegotiated their relationship. The data further illustrate the importance of program curriculum as a source of leverage for school districts. Data also indicates the degree to which the partnership resulted in a new, shared understanding of turnaround leadership. Implications for districts and universities are discussed.

Authors

• Chad Lochmiller, Indiana University

• Daniel Reyes-Guerra, Florida Atlantic University

• Colleen E. Chesnut, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Molly Stewart, Indiana University - Bloomington