Leveraging a Candidate Assessment System to Develop an Equity-Centered School Leadership Pipeline Through University-District Partnership

• In Event: Manifestations of Equity Practices in Leadership Preparation

Abstract

This study examines the initial development and assessment process of a newly redesigned equity-centered leadership preparation program in the Mid-Atlantic region. Through partnership with a local school district, this leadership preparation program designed a candidate assessment system (CAS) to identify equity-centered leadership candidates who demonstrate the capacity for equity-centered leadership. Using this system, we analyzed the characteristics of the leadership candidates who were selected to enroll. We found that the candidate assessment system designed by university faculty in partnership with district administrators did identify aspiring leadership candidates who demonstrate the capacity to become equity-centered leaders. However, differences in candidate readiness existed among the components of knowledge, practices, and disposition on which this redesigned equity-centered leadership program are based.

Authors

• Rebecca Ann Thessin, The George Washington University

• Abebayehu Aemero Tekleselassie, The George Washington University

• Leslie Trimmer, The George Washington University

• Coleen V. Reyes, The George Washington University

• Jennifer K. Clayton, The George Washington University