Sustaining a Pipeline for Leaders of Color: The Intentions and Results of Preparation Programs

• In Event: Educational Leadership and the Responsibility for Inclusion

Abstract

Principals of color are critical to an array of positive outcomes for teachers and students of color. Unfortunately, school leaders of color are disproportionately underrepresented in the principalship as the student population grows increasingly diverse. It stands to reason that principal preparation programs (PPPs) can play a part in improving racial/ethnic representativeness in the pipeline, though research has yet to examine how. This qualitative study addresses this gap. The researchers draw on interviews with PPP leaders and graduates from 15 programs deemed exemplary at diversifying the pipeline to understand how and to what extent PPP pipeline structures foster diversity within programs. Findings provide guidance for the larger PPP field and programs that intend to diversify the pipeline further.

Authors

• Frank Perrone, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Angel Miles Nash, Chapman University

• Karen L. Sanzo, Old Dominion University