WAFF 48 News (WAFF.com) June 3, 2010

HEADLINE: Alabama a 'Strong Leader' in Raising Quality of School Leaders

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WAFF) - Alabama is "a strong leader" when it comes to adopting policies designed to raise the quality of educational leaders in its public schools, according to a report released Thursday by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB).

The report, which details Alabama's success in reforming the way school leaders are recruited, trained, and supported, was highlighted by Governor Bob Riley and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton during a visit to Birmingham.

"Our task now is to make sure Alabama sustains these reforms into the future because these reforms lead to better school leaders, and having high-quality school leaders results in a better education for all Alabama's children," said Governor Riley.

The report reviews policies that were recommended by the Governor's Congress on School Leadership and implemented by the state. Governor Riley formed the Congress on School Leadership in 2004 to improve the quality of educational leaders in Alabama's public schools.

SREB calls Alabama a "pacesetter" in implementing reforms and a "strong leader in adopting a cohesive set of policies" that raise the quality of school leadership preparation and practice.

"The Governor's Congress on School Leadership resulted in an unmistakable statewide paradigm shift to a firm belief that Alabama's principals must be instructional leaders as opposed to school administrators," the SREB report notes.

The SREB reports recommendations from the Congress on School Leadership that have been implemented include:

The Educator Code of Ethics, the first of its kind in Alabama, was adopted by State Board of Education resolution and then passed into the Alabama Administrative Code. The legislature rejected it in 2010 but the original resolution remains in effect.

The Alabama Instructional Leadership Standards were adopted by the State Board and serve as the basis for the University Redesign and professional development efforts.

University Redesign of Instructional Leader Programs: All 13 universities with a former "school administrator" masters degree closed their programs, redesigned them with a focus on instruction and student learning based on the new standards, and re-opened with verification and approval by the State Board of Education. The new programs also require a stricter "residency" component where principal candidates spend time in schools working with a trained principal mentor.

Professional Development Redesign: All school leaders are required to undergo professional development to remain certified. To put the focus on standards-based professional development that is more in-depth, Alabama moved from the use of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that were based on seat-time to "Professional Learning Units" (PLUs), which ensures that leaders have met the new standards. The Alabama Council for Leadership Development, made up current school leaders, approves PLUs that meet the new standards.

The report notes the following areas where Alabama is excelling:

Alabama received full points in a recent SREB study for its policies that address leadership standards, preparation program redesign, field-based experiences for leader candidates, and leader licensure.

Alabama preparation programs work more closely with districts in authentic partnerships than preparation programs in any other SREB state.

Overall, preparation program ratings placed Alabama in the top three states in the SREB region.

Previously, many teachers enrolled in the administrator degree programs to get the bump in pay for a masters degree. Now those enrolling are focused on becoming effective principals.

The report also notes areas where Alabama needs to improve:
University and local school district partnerships need greater development.
Decreasing availability of resources to maintain the reforms threatens long-term sustainability.
Alabama needs a better data system that can collect effectiveness data on principals and provide that data to the preparation programs so that they can continually improve.

"We owe it to our children to ensure Alabama has the most capable and best prepared school leaders in the country. That's why the work of the Congress on School Leadership has been so important," said Governor Riley.