While our core programs focus on training future school-level leaders, our Leadership Development Services are geared towards enhancing the effectiveness of sitting assistant principals (APs), principals and principal managers in partner districts and charter management organizations. To expand the skill sets of existing administrators in partner districts and charter management organizations, New Leaders has designed research-based professional development programs that support the unique challenges these leaders face in transforming low-performing schools.
Our approach combines information about practices proven to drive gains in high-need schools with self-reflection and on-the-job application to allow principals and APs to grow their leadership capacity in real time. Principals and APs further hone their leadership abilities through rich multimedia case studies and professional development exercises that focus on strategies used by successful principals, including building strong instructional leadership teams, observation and supervision, and data-driven instruction.
Our Leadership Development Services help our clients to improve:
- APs’ and principals’ impact on teacher effectiveness
- Retention of talented APs and principals
- Principal evaluation and supervision methodologies (principal managers)
- Principals’ impact on teacher effectiveness
- Selection and ongoing development of effective principals (principal managers)
Our Pilot Year
During the 2010-2011 school year, we worked closely with Washington, D.C. Public Schools, Memphis City Schools, and Friendship Public Charter Schools to evaluate their leadership programs and implement an innovative leadership development model to help school leaders put the EPIC Knowledge System into practice.
Key features of this innovative model include:
- Exploration of adult learning principles that builds on participants’ experience, with an inquiry-oriented approach to promote examination and reflection
- Job-embedded action assignments to put course learning into immediate practice, supported by content to build meaning and make learning relevant
- Personal videos for participants to document their own practice, providing the opportunity to reflect on their progress and identify areas in need of improvement
- Videos, case studies and resources from the EPIC Knowledge System that show effective practices in action and support engagement, accountability, modeling and continual learning
Evaluation Report: The EPIC Leadership Development Model and Pilot Programs
Rockman et al, an independent research firm ,examined the knowledge and skills that participants gained and the programs’ impact not only on personal leadership practice and decisions but also on teachers and classroom practice and school and district policies and systems.
Evaluation findings show that the EPIC Leadership Development Model, piloted in three very different settings, had a positive impact on leadership practice and set in motion changes related to improved teaching and learning. Participants gained new skills, strategies, and resources to strengthen their own leadership practice and the practice of their teams and teachers.
To learn more about how our Leadership Development Services can improve underperforming schools in your district or charter management organization, contact John Lent, Executive Director, EPIC Knowledge System.
