This paper investigated principal interns' leadership work during the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas. We used data from one-on-one semistructured interviews to document the experiences of 21 principal candidates in spring 2021 through spring 2022. Participants' leadership work changed in four ways during the pandemic: striving, intensifying,…

The principal internship is a crucial component of principal preparation programs (PPP) in the U.S. and, increasingly, in other countries. The purpose of this study was to compare the experiences and work of principal candidates enrolled in one principal residency program (PRP) to candidates enrolled in a traditional principal preparation program…

This qualitative case study explores the impact of job-embedded principal preparation residency programs through the lens of a school district's administrator. The school-university partnership provided an innovative way to prepare aspiring school leaders. The job-embedded structure provided an authentic, contextual base experience where aspiring…

This study is an examination of a partnership between a Texas public school district and a higher education institute on a 15-month embedded principal internship. Within this district, 6 principal fellows from 5 different campuses participated in the internship program. The focus was to prepare aspiring principals with the knowledge and skills of…

The current study explored the perceptions of charter school principals about the charter principal role, the support needed by charter principals, and the preparation of charter school principals. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews using the Nvivo 12 software suite was used to analyze participant responses and reveal themes for…

The demographic profile of the United States has been rapidly changing; by 2020, minority students will constitute the majority of the public school student population nationwide. This makes cultural competence a necessity for today's school leaders. Educational leadership preparation programs are responsible for preparing culturally competent…

The principal preparation internship is designed to prepare aspiring principals for the principalship. Principals are expected to lead this initiative through activities that develop aspiring principals' understanding of school leadership. However, no research has determined if principals' involvement influences preservice principals' concerns…

Describes how the Windham School District, which governs education in the Texas state prison system, develops administrators through a principal internship program in conjunction with Sam Houston State University. (SK)

This paper examines a program that was developed at the University of Texas at Arlington to equip future educational leaders to guide schools through important educational reforms. The program offers a balance of seminars and internship experiences, departing from the traditional university-based delivery of instruction. The evaluation of the…

The purpose of this study was to explore how often 159 practicing teachers enrolled in a university Master's degree principal preparation program observed their mentor principals model the four mandated Texas standards-based instructional leadership competencies for the principalship. The competencies focus on leadership through curriculum and…

This study presents the current requirements, standards, and preferences used by superintendents of Texas public schools in their selection of elementary school principals. Specifically, the study attempted to discover the aspects, other than college records and State certification, that are considered in the selection of principals. A…

This paper presents a proposal for an alternative principal-certification program, which is to be operated by Tarleton State University (Texas) in collaboration with 10 independent Texas school districts, 4 regional educational service centers, 2 professional associations, and 1 foundation. The New Century Educational Leadership Program (NCELP) is…