Strengthening Equitable School Leadership: California Principals, Policies, and Best Practices

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Research has shown principals to be a critical school-level factor influencing student achievement, graduation rates, and attendance rates (Bartanen, 2020; Coelli & Green, 2012; Grissom, Kalogrides, & Loeb, 2015; Grissom, Egalite, & Lindsay, 2021). But, how can states, districts, and preparation programs train and support principals who can meet the needs of a diverse student body? This symposium examines, through researcher and practitioner perspectives: (1) trends in California principals, (2) the extent to which they are prepared to create equitable school environments, and (3) policies that hold the most promise for increasing equity-focused school leadership. Participants will identify evidence-based practices to ensure all students have high-quality principals who reflect and understand the communities they serve.

Sub Unit

• Division A - Administration / Division A - Section 5: Leadership Preparation Development

Chair

• Marjorie Wechsler, Learning Policy Institute

Papers

• Trends in California Principals Over Time - Anne Podolsky, Stanford University

• The Quality of Principal Preparation in California - Adam K. Edgerton, Congressional Research Service

• Policies to Strengthen School Leadership - Stephanie Levin, Learning Policy Institute

Discussants

• Ana Diaz-Booz, San Diego Unified School District

• Sofia Roditti, San Diego Unified School District