The University of Maryland, College of Education, has recently announced the launch of the School Improvement Leadership Academy programme to support school leaders in increasing student achievement. The programme aims to unite 180 principals and assistant principals from Title I, high-need, and targeted support and improvement schools in Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware for comprehensive professional learning and development.
The programme is funded by a $4.8 million grant from the US Department of Education Office of Elementary & Secondary Education’s Supporting Effective Educator Development Program.
Speaking about the launch, Segun Eubanks, Director of the College’s Center for Educational Innovation and Improvement, which will lead the academy, said:
To narrow achievement gaps and help advance education equity, we need to provide resources and targeted support to school districts where historical trends and society have not always allowed students to succeed. We know that high-quality leaders are critical to meeting student needs, and the centre will provide school leaders with the skills and knowledge they need to help improve student achievement. We are excited about this academy and its impact on schools and districts for years to come.
Eubanks added:
Obtaining a principal certification is just the tip of the iceberg; you need daily support to be an effective leader. We want to provide practical and applicable strategies that principals and assistant principals can bring to their schools and districts and share leading practices to help them demonstrate measurable improvement.
As a part of this initiative, the two-year academy will create webinars and asynchronous courses to teach principles of improvement science to design, implement and scale academic interventions; support culturally responsive curricula, social and emotional learning, school safety and inclusion; and lead professional development focused on methods to advance literacy and mathematics outcomes. Other activities include conducting an equity audit of participating schools, matching principals and assistant principals with leadership coaches, facilitating on-site visits, hosting a summer institute and evaluating and measuring progress on school improvement plans. In this work, the academy will operate under the premise that leaders can and should be developed.
Michael J. Martirano, Superintendent of Howard County Public Schools, commented:
As we experience more turnover in educational leadership across our state, this program is a terrific way to help cultivate quality leaders and ensure our educational institutions continue thriving for the betterment of our students. Moreover, the academy is a perfect example of how local school systems and institutions of higher learning collaborate to ensure we support our leaders’ continuous learning and development.
The first cohort of school leaders attended their first webinar in April 2023, representing nine school districts–seven in the state of Maryland (Anne Arundel County Public Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools, Caroline County Public Schools, Dorchester County Public Schools, Howard County Public Schools, Montgomery County Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools) and two in Delaware and New Jersey (Christina Public School District and Plainfield Public Schools, respectively).
The College of Education aims to enhance the lives of individuals, families, schools, and communities through its research, teaching, and engagement. The platform creates knowledge about critical facets of education and human development, sharing that knowledge to improve lives in Maryland and the broader national and international community. It prepares students to be the next generation of scholars, educators, and transformative leaders. It offers research– and practice–oriented programmes across a broad spectrum of education issues.
