Principal Candidates' Perceptions of Leadership Growth During Their Summer Residency Practicum Experience

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Learning by Doing: Field and Residency Experiences for Future School Leaders

Abstract

Field-based practicum experiences are essential in connecting classroom theory to practice. In this study, we analyzed the perceptions of principal candidates regarding their summer residency practicum experiences via a self-assessment principal leadership competency instrument and virtual semi-structured interviews. We found that principal candidates expressed leadership growth in the following Texas principal leadership competency areas: Strategic Operations, Human Capital, and Executive Leadership. These findings were consistent in our quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Considering principal candidates’ perceptions of their greatest leadership challenge during the summer residency practicum, the principal candidates stated challenges with providing instructional feedback and engaging in difficult conversations. The results may assist principal preparation programs in designing their curriculum to include a more meaningful residency-practicum experience.

Authors

• Elsa Villarreal, Texas A&M University - Commerce

• Beverly J. Irby, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Rafael Lara-Alecio, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Fuhui Tong, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Matthew James Etchells, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Nahed Abdelrahman, Texas A&M University - College Station

• Roya Pashmforoosh, Texas A&M University - College Station