Professional Development in Principals

Paterson, Kent, "The Professional Development of Principals: Innovations and Opportunities. Educational Administration Quarterly. April 2002. Volume 38. No. 2 (213-232).

This article articulates the importance of professional development programs as preservice preparation for principals. Paterson states that over the next 5 years districts are expected to replace more than 60% of all principals. These people will lead their schools for the next 15-20 years. He then discussed the four major elements of his article. The first is the importance of identifying critical program structures and key cultural elements. The second is to make a portrait of the landscape of professional development for principals. The third is to look to a variety of programs that have integrated structural arrangements and strong cultural elements that could enhance learning. The fourth is to make a recommendation for the design of professional development for principals.

Paterson feels that program characteristics include structural elements, cultural mission, curriculum, instructional approaches, use of time as well as cultural elements such as rituals, ceremonies, symbols and values. Included in structural arrangements are things such as clear mission and purpose, curriculum coherence, a variety of instructional strategies, linkage to state initiatives and certification, use of information technologies, length and time structure.

He cites some examples of programs, such as Gheens Academy in Louisville, Kentucky. He also some programs of professional development in national reform programs, such as The National Principals' Academies, Harvard's Principals' Center Institutes, and Vanderbilt International Principals' Institute. He specifically discussed CSLA, the California State Leadership Academy and its various programs as well as CLASS, the Chicago Principals and Administrators Association and its various programs. Suffice it to say that many of these programs have many levels and varied ways to get at teaching the important elements.