School Leadership

School leadership is second only to teaching among school-related factors in its impact on student learning, according to research. Moreover, principals strongly shape the conditions for high-quality teaching and are the prime factor in determining whether teachers stay in high-needs schools. High-quality principals, therefore, are vital to the effectiveness of our nation’s public schools, especially those serving the children with the fewest advantages in life.

Browse the reports and other resources on these pages for insights into school leadership and how to improve it.

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States as Leaders, Followers, and Partners: Lessons from the ESSA Leadership Learning Community and the University Principal Preparation Initiative	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/states-as-leaders,-followers-and-partners-essa-luniversity-principal-prep.aspx	States as Leaders, Followers, and Partners: Lessons from the ESSA Leadership Learning Community and the University Principal Preparation Initiative	<p>States can foster fruitful partnerships among institutions seeking to develop effective school principals: a key takeaway from reflections on two Wallace efforts involving states. <br></p>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Report	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/states-as-leaders-followers-partners-essa-university-principal-prep-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/states-as-leaders-followers-partners-essa-university-principal-prep-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	11/15/2022 5:00:00 AM
All the Voices: Statewide Collaborations for School Leadership under ESSA	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/all-the-voices-statewide-collaborations-for-school-leadership-under-essa.aspx	All the Voices: Statewide Collaborations for School Leadership under ESSA	<p>What happens when teams from 11 states join a novel effort to promote effective, equity-minded school leadership? Policy ideas and innovative programs. <br></p>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Report	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/all-the-voices-statewide-collaborations-for-school-leadership-under-essa-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/all-the-voices-statewide-collaborations-for-school-leadership-under-essa-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	9/20/2022 4:00:00 AM
Research Series on the University Principal Preparation Initiative	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/research-series-on-the-university-principal-preparation-initiative.aspx	Research Series on the University Principal Preparation Initiative	Multi-part study examines effort to improve university-based school leadership programs<br>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Research Series	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/uppi-series-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	7/28/2022 4:00:00 AM
What We Know About School Leadership	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/three-syntheses-on-education-leadership.aspx	What We Know About School Leadership	Three reports explore 20 years of research about principals and provide new analyses on a range of topics<br>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Research Series	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/what-we-know-school-leadership-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	7/27/2022 4:00:00 AM
District Partnerships with University Principal Preparation Programs: A Summary of Findings for School District Leaders	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/district-partnerships-with-university-principal-preparation-programs.aspx	District Partnerships with University Principal Preparation Programs: A Summary of Findings for School District Leaders	School districts can help improve university programs that prepare their future principals. The key? A strong partnership with the university. <br>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Report	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/district-partnerships-with-university-principal-preparation-programs-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/district-partnerships-with-university-principal-preparation-programs-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	6/28/2022 4:00:00 AM
State Partnerships With University Principal Preparation Programs: A Summary of Findings for State Policymakers	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/state-partnerships-with-university-principal-preparation-programs.aspx	State Partnerships With University Principal Preparation Programs: A Summary of Findings for State Policymakers	States can be active participants in efforts to improve principal preparation, taking steps including developing strong principal standards. <br>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Report	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/state-partnerships-with-university-principal-preparation-programs-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/state-partnerships-with-university-principal-preparation-programs-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	6/28/2022 4:00:00 AM
Collaborating on University Principal Preparation Program Redesign: A Summary of Findings for University Principal Preparation Program Providers	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/collaborating-on-university-principal-preparation-program-redesign.aspx	Collaborating on University Principal Preparation Program Redesign: A Summary of Findings for University Principal Preparation Program Providers	This brief offers insights for improving university principal preparation programs. One key? Strong partnerships between programs and school districts. <br>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Report	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/collaborating-on-university-principal-preparation-program-redesign-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/collaborating-on-university-principal-preparation-program-redesign-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	6/28/2022 4:00:00 AM
Redesigning University Principal Preparation Programs: A Systemic Approach for Change and Sustainability—Report in Brief	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/redesigning-university-principal-preparation-programs-a-systemic-approach-for-change-and-sustainability.aspx	Redesigning University Principal Preparation Programs: A Systemic Approach for Change and Sustainability—Report in Brief	Collaborating with school districts and others, universities can revamp their principal preparation programming so it reflects the best available evidence about high-quality pre-service school leadership training. <br>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Report	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/redesigning-university-principal-preparation-programs-brief-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/redesigning-university-principal-preparation-programs-brief-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	6/1/2022 4:00:00 AM
Developing Effective Principals: What Kind of Learning Matters?	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/developing-effective-principals-what-kind-of-learning-matters.aspx	Developing Effective Principals: What Kind of Learning Matters?	High-quality principal development is linked to better outcomes for principals, teachers and students, but access to it varies by state and school poverty levels. Policy change can help. <br>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Report	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/developing-effective-principals-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/developing-effective-principals-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	5/25/2022 4:00:00 AM
Strong Pipelines, Strong Principals: A Guide for Leveraging Federal Sources to Fund Principal Pipelines	https://www.wallacefoundation.org/knowledge-center/Pages/Strong-Pipelines-Strong-Principals-A-guide-for-leveraging-federal-sources-to-fund-principal-pipelines.aspx	Strong Pipelines, Strong Principals: A Guide for Leveraging Federal Sources to Fund Principal Pipelines	<p>This guide can help school district decision-makers understand the federal funding sources that can be tapped to develop sound principal pipelines. <br></p>	54092405-3ed7-43af-891b-ab77fa4f2517	Guide	<img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/Strong-Pipelines-Strong-Principals-b.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> <img alt="" src="/knowledge-center/PublishingImages/Strong-Pipelines-Strong-Principals-a.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" />	12/1/2021 5:00:00 AM

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