The New Century Educational Leadership Program

This paper presents a proposal for an alternative principal-certification program, which is to be operated by Tarleton State University (Texas) in collaboration with 10 independent Texas school districts, 4 regional educational service centers, 2 professional associations, and 1 foundation. The New Century Educational Leadership Program (NCELP) is designed to prepare principals to lead learner-centered schools that will meet the diverse needs of Texas students. The program will initially address principal training needs for midsized urban and suburban districts. NCELP will target leadership candidates from minority and underrepresented populations. The program will include assessment laboratories, full-day instructional blocks, instructional seminars, principal internship and residency, a field-based school-involvement project, electronic communication, and a mentorship team. Five figures are included. Appendices contain a comparison of NCELP to traditional programs, a list of the curriculum-design team members, principal-evaluation forms, the timeline, and letters of support. (LMI)