Evaluating the Effect of the Excellent School Leaders Development Program (ESLDP): Using Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation Model

• In Event: Poster Group 9
  In Poster Session: Evaluating the Effect of the Excellent School Leaders Development Program (ESLDP): Using Kirkpatrick’s Four Levels of Training Evaluation Model

Proposal

Effective school leadership hinges upon robust principal preparation and professional development. The inception of Taipei City's Excellent School Leaders Development Program (ESLDP) in 2018 introduced an innovative and comprehensive approach to principal preparation and ongoing development. The ESLDP encompasses pre-service principal preparation, candidate principal training, induction for new principals, and empowerment for in-service principals. This multifaceted initiative incorporates elements such as one-on-one mentoring, thematic workshops, field-based cohort learning, and benchmarking visits to exemplary schools.

This study pursues two primary objectives. The first objective is to examine the prevailing circumstances and challenges associated with implementing the ESLDP in Taipei City. The second objective focuses on assessing the ESLDP's impact on principal preparation and professional development. To comprehensively evaluate this impact, a questionnaire survey was conducted based on Kirkpatrick's four levels of training evaluation model, encompassing "Level 1-reactions," "Level 2-learning," "Levels 3-behavior," and "Level 4-results."
In pursuit of these objectives, a range of methodologies was employed. Literature review, focus groups, site visits, semi-structured interviews, and survey methods were utilized, aligning with Kirkpatrick's four levels of program evaluation. Literature review synthesized research on principal preparation, development programs, and evaluations. Expert-driven focus groups provided insights into program content, implementation, and evaluation strategies for the ESLDP. Site visits and interviews were conducted at the culmination of the year-long program, gathering perspectives from educational administrators, mentor principals, and participants regarding the benefits and practical application of ESLDP insights.

Survey questionnaires were administered to elementary and secondary school principals (N=44) who completed ESLDP induction stage courses in Taipei City between 2019 and 2021. The findings affirm that ESLDP courses profoundly enhance professional growth and development, with consistently high effectiveness ratings (M=4.440 to M=4.592) on a Likert 5-point scale. Specifically, "Level 1-reactions" (M=4.592, SD=.418), Level 2-learning (M=4.526, SD=.494), Level 3-behavior (M=4.517, SD=.497), and Level 4-results (M=4.440, SD=.522).

This study sheds light on the implementation challenges and outcomes of the Excellent School Leaders Development Program (ESLDP) in Taipei City. Through a comprehensive evaluation based on Kirkpatrick’s four levels of training, we have gained valuable insights into the program's effectiveness. Our findings confirm that ESLDP significantly enhances professional growth and development for school principals, with consistently high ratings across the four evaluated levels. The study underscores the importance of robust principal preparation and ongoing professional development in nurturing effective school leaders. The multifaceted approach of ESLDP, encompassing mentoring, workshops, field-based learning, and benchmarking visits, contributes to a holistic and impactful development experience.

These findings hold implications for educational policymakers, administrators, and practitioners. The successes and challenges identified in this study can inform future iterations of ESLDP and similar programs, leading to enhanced leadership training and improved educational outcomes. As we move forward, it is imperative to build upon these insights to continually refine and strengthen principal preparation and professional development initiatives.

Author

• Hsu-Chun Huang, University of Taipei