The APS Model for Creating Urban School Principals

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The APS Model for Creating Urban School Principals

• Kathy M. Augustine
• Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and
  Instruction
• Beverly L. Hall, Ed.D.
• Superintendent
• SMHC-CPRE November 18, 2008

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District Fast Facts

• Student enrollment 49,142
• (85.98 African American, 8.37 Caucasian, 4.10
  Hispanic, .93 Multi-racial, .59 Asian, .03
  American Indian/Alaskan)
• Total number of teachers 3463
• Total number of employees 6,358
• 76.14 students qualify for free or reduced lunch
• FY09 operating budget 661.6 million

Data Provided By APS Fast Facts 2008-2009 And
District FY09 Operating Budget
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Headlines

• Atlanta Public Schools Transforms AJC 8/20/08
• Spellings Youre a model for the country!
  (NAEP scores) 11/15/07
• APS outperforms state in AYP, closing achievement
  gap 7/25/08
• APS Named Title I Distinguished District 1/4/08
• GE Awards APS 22 Million for Math and Science
  Instruction 10/30/07

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Historical Perspective

• 1999 - Dr. Beverly L. Hall named superintendent
• 50 practicing principals projected to retire by
  2006
• Current aspiring leadership candidates were
  unprepared to implement systems comprehensive
  reform agenda.
• The principals role was changing to
  instructional leader.
• New and aspiring leaders needed formal
  development, induction, mentoring and support.

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Comprehensive Reform Plan

• Comprehensive school reform models
• Bold interventions to close the achievement gap
• Supportive accountability system
• State-of-the-art business and operations
  processes, technology, and facilities

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Building Capacity of Leaders

• Senior-level team examined the prevailing needs,
  existing conditions and available resources.
• In-depth assessment of the organization
• Starfish Report
• Strategic decision to develop an in-house program
  to address APSs unique leadership needs
• Wallace Foundation Project LEAD grant

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SABLE Program Overview

• Two year performance-based instructional
  leadership development program
• Approximately 20 - 25 internal candidates per
  cohort
• Senior district leaders shape program design,
  selection process, and act as mentors.
• Grounded in research-based best practices

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SABLE Program Overview

• Year 1 - Understanding Self, District, and Best
  Practices in Leadership
• Year 2 - Learning in Action Year long project,
  Master Principal Mentor
• Year 3 - Executive Coaching

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Leadership Development Focus

• Self Mastery
• Defining your purpose
• Values and beliefs as a leader
• Conflict resolution
• Group process facilitation
• Impact Others
• School-based leadership
• Understanding school culture
• Facilitative and Distributive Leadership
• Data Driven Accountability
• Focus Forward
• Interview Clinic
• Presentation and Business Communication Skill
  Development
• Expert Panels

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Ongoing Program Development

• Flexibility is the key to SABLEs ongoing
• success.
• Instructional leadership consultants provide the
  theoretical perspective.
• APS senior leaders in Curriculum and Instruction,
  Business, and Operations provide the
  district-specific context.

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Program Assessment

• Successful SABLE promotions
• Since inception, 135 graduates
• Approximately 50 promoted
• 23 current APS principals
• Annual progress report and independent
  evaluation for Wallace Foundation
• Focus groups, participant work products and
  anecdotal evidence
• Quality of internal candidates
• Systemic culture shift to focus on continuous
  learning
• Student Achievement (ultimate goal)

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SABLE Next Steps

• Needs Assessment
• Long-term leadership needs
• Detailed data on SABLE graduates.
• Internal career paths to principalship.
• Post-SABLE professional learning
• Increase time with master principals
• Align SABLE with new state certification
  requirements

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Principal Induction Process

• Begins at superintendents annual retreat
• Principal partner acts as mentor and coach
• Executive directors of schools provide individual
  and group support

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2008 AYP Results
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Voices of SABLE Participants

• Dr. Shirlene Carter, Principal
• Maynard Jackson High
• Dr. Karen Barlow-Brown, Principal
• Peyton Forest Elementary
• Mr. Brian Mitchell, Principal
• Mary Lin Elementary

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Voices of SABLE Participants