Examining the Development of School Leader Competencies by Aspiring Principals During the Principal Preparation Experience: An Exploratory Longitudinal Study

• In Event: 31.071 - Leadership Development Through Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This longitudinal study seeks to inform the preparation of school principals by examining leader competency development across one cohort of students/aspiring principals in one urban principal preparation program. As documented by prior research, this program exhibits all of the key program features that have been associated with innovative and exemplary leadership preparation programs in the US (Davis & Darling-Hammond, 2012). In this manuscript, we examine four Illustrative cases from the cohort to explore competency development associated with "championing teacher and staff excellence through a focus on continuous improvement." This domain of leader work relates to ISLLC standards A and B and has been found to effect student learning (Robinson, Lloyd, & Rowe, 2008). We then identify program factors that proved catalytic for competency development. Implications and recommendations for the development of school leaders are also advanced.

Authors

• Shelby A. Cosner, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Martha Hebert, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Lisa Walker, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Anne Hutchinson, University of Illinois at Chicago

• David Mayrowetz, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Samuel Paul Whalen, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Jason Swanson, University of Illinois - Chicago