NYCLA takes great pride in our ability to customize an array of services to fit our clients’ needs. This summer, we are engaging with clients in Philadelphia and Rhode Island to strengthen their leadership development programs.
***
The School District of Philadelphia hired NYCLA to facilitate a summer institute for 32 newly hired principals to help them develop critically important entry plans that will serve as their roadmaps for the first few months of leadership. Each individualized plan will articulate a compelling vision for student learning, summarize the current state of the school, and identify short- and long-term priorities for change. Participants will share their plans with district support teams and assistant superintendents, providing an opportunity for these leaders to forge vital relationships that are needed for school improvement.
In a tandem effort, NYCLA facilitators also worked with a newly expanded team of eight Assistant Superintendents who will supervise and assist the new principals. NYCLA collaborated with the Assistant Superintendents to create action plans for long-term support of principals. Topics included the development of a coaching/mentoring relationship with principals and the understanding of systems and structures required for ongoing principal support. This work will ensure that Assistant Superintendents and principals’ efforts are aligned in their shared goal of improving student outcomes.
***
Over the past two years, NYCLA has worked with the Rhode Island Department of Education to develop three core programs using Race to the Top funds. These programs include the Turnaround Leader Program (TLP) for aspiring school leaders, an executive coaching program for principals serving students in high-need schools, and intensive professional development for principals in low-performing schools and their leadership teams.
Earlier this month, graduates of TLP and their leadership teams joined NYCLA facilitators for a summer institute that was designed for the aspiring leaders as they enter their new positions this fall. The curriculum focused on helping leaders develop and articulate their vision for student learning to different stakeholders as well as set the groundwork with their leadership teams to move towards these goals. Some of the topics included team action planning, analyzing and using school data to inform instructional decisions, managing resistance to change, and attending to the health of the leadership team.
In addition, principals from last year’s summer institute had the opportunity to host a full day retreat for their leadership teams. They co-designed the curriculum with NYCLA coaches and customized the sessions to advance specific school improvement goals.