Guiding Principals: Middle Manager Coaching and Human Capital Reform

• In Event: Cultivating School and District Improvement Through Building the Capacities of Teachers and Principals

Abstract

School leaders are central to state and district human capital reforms (HCRs), yet are often not equipped with the skills to implement new evaluation, professional development and personnel data systems. Although districts increasingly offer principals coaching and training, there is limited empirical work on how these supports influence principals’ HCR-related practices. Drawing on a two-year, mixed methods study in the Los Angeles Unified School District, this paper examines the role of principal supervisors in HCRs. Survey and case data indicate that supervisors provided principals valued support and that high-quality coaching facilitated deeper understanding and practices, such as how to offer feedback and align evidence to evaluation rubrics. The paper concludes with implications for HCR policy, principal supervision, and future research.

Authors

• Julie A. Marsh, University of Southern California

• Susan C. Bush-Mecenas, University of Southern California

• Katharine Omenn Strunk, University of Southern California

• Edward Cremata, University of Southern California

• Laura S. Mulfinger, Claremont Graduate University