The Principal's Academy: A Collaborative California University Initiative on Congruence of Principal Training to Urban School Leadership Practice

Purposively selected urban California superintendents and assistant superintendents participated in surveys and interviews which examined their views about the impact California university Tier I school leadership preparation programs have on overall preparedness for the position, effectiveness of job performance, longevity, transference of skills gained to professional staff development within the school site, and student achievement within their districts. Superintendents reported that Tier I candidates are academically well prepared for overall school leadership and candidates emerge with strong instructional leadership and management skills. It was recommended by superintendents that The Principal's Academy teach aspiring administrators to be courageous, relational, and know self, to optimally meet the demands of urban school administration. Superintendents recommended field experience enhancement through collaboratively designed internships with real data and prescribed site-based experiences. (Contains 1 table.)