State Resources for Professional Development School Leadership — Principals, Assistant Principals, and Department Heads

Continual professional development of school leadership is critical to school success. Strengthening the skills and knowledge of school principals is likely to also raise student performance because principals have a direct impact on so many aspects of a school's environment, including teacher performance, student achievement standards, teacher quality, and school accountability. Principals set the culture of the school through their interaction with students, teachers, and the community as well as in their decisions regarding budgets, curriculum, and instruction. To be successful, a principal must be highly skilled in many different areas, such as management, leadership, problem-solving, communications, assessment, curriculum and instruction, and interpersonal relations. Typically, however, not everyone can do all things well. Professional development is key to strengthening skills in areas where improvement is needed as well as in keeping abreast of the latest developments in curricula and leadership models. We have assembled links to conferences, workshop seminars, and support materials for school leaders that can help you hone your skills. For additional information read the SREB report "Good Principals Aren't Born - They're Mentored."

Acknowledgements:

• MiddleWeb, January 2006
• American Association of School Administrators, January 2006

Links to SREB State and Related Resources

State Resource AL Alabama Department of Education - Principal Evaluation System of the Professional Education Personnel Evaluation Program of Alabama (PEPE) AL Alabama Professional Education Personnel Evaluation (PEPE) Program Administrator Evaluation Materials AR Arkansas Department of Education DE Delaware Department of Education FL Florida Leaders.Net FL Florida Principal Portal MD Maryland State Department of Education NC North Carolina Department of Public Instruction OK Oklahoma State Department of Education SC South Carolina Department of Education   Schools Need Good Leaders Now: State Progress in Creating a Learning-Centered School Leadership System   SREB Leadership Initiative   SREB Learning-Centered Leadership Program: Developing and Assisting Effective, Learning-Centered Principals Who Can Improve Schools and Increase Student Achievement   Top 10 Ways to Improve Science Achievement: Actions for School Principals, Assistant Principals, Department Chairs and School Improvement Consultants