There is a pervasive and ongoing perception that leadership preparation is a problem. Important questions remain about the intentions, capacity, and impact of state departments of education engaged in leadership preparation program redesign. In this essay, I take up several issues concerning this state policy work, including whether a one size fits all approach to redesign is appropriate, whether the approaches taken by states have had the intended impact on preparation and leadership practice, and whether state departments of education have the capacity to shoulder the responsibility of translating and implementing policy as well as supporting preparation program redesign.
BakerB. D.OrrM. T.YoungM. D. (2007). Academic drift, institutional production and professional distribution of graduate degrees in educational administration. Educational Administration Quarterly, 43, 279-318.
2.
BottomsG.O’NeillK. (2001). Preparing a new breed of school principals: It’s time for action. Atlanta, GA: Southern Regional Education Board.
3.
Darling-HammondL.MeyersonD.LaPointeM.OrrM. T. (2007). Preparing leaders for a changing world. Palo Alto, CA: Stanford University.
4.
FullerE.YoungM. D.BakerB. (2011). The relationship between principal preparation and a leaders influence on teacher-team qualifications and student achievement: An exploratory analysis. Educational Administration Quarterly, 47, 173-216.
5.
HaleE. L.MoormanH. N. (2003). Preparing school principals: A national perspective on policy and program innovations. Washington, DC: Institute for Educational Leadership.
6.
JacksonB. L.KelleyC. (2002). Exceptional and innovative programs in educational leadership. Educational Administration Quarterly, 38, 192-212.
7.
OrrM. T. (2006). Research on leadership education as a reform strategy. Journal of Research on Leadership Education, 1, 1-5.
8.
RoachV.SmithL. W. (2011). School leadership policy trends and developments: Policy expediency or policy excellence?Educational Administration Quarterly, 47, 71-113.
9.
SandersN. M.SimpsonJ. (2005). State policy framework to develop highly qualified administrators. Washington, DC: Council of Chief State School Officers.
10.
YoungM. D.BrewerC. (2008). Fear and the preparation of school leaders: The role of ambiguity, anxiety and power in meaning making. Journal of Education Policy, 22, 106-129.
11.
YoungM. D.CrowG.MurphyJ.OgawaR. (2009). The handbook of research on the education of school leaders. New York, NY: Routledge.
12.
YoungM. D.PetersenG. J.ShortP. M. (2002). The complexity of substantive reform: A call for interdependence among key stakeholders. Educational Administration Quarterly, 38, 137-175.
