Lessons Learned from Designing a Principal Preparation Program: Equity, Coherence, and Collaboration

Abstract

This study examines the work completed by a regional, comprehensive university’s principal preparation program in redesigning their curriculum for greater coherence. Their process for identifying equity as a program theme and explicitly addressing learning related to program themes is described. Key steps in the process include (a) collaborating with partners, (b) identifying problems of practice, (c) surfacing core beliefs, (d) articulating a comprehensive theory of action, (e) creating a crosswalk aligning standards to courses and themes, and (f) identifying learning experiences and assessments aligned to the crosswalk. Their conclusions recognized the importance of collaboration, coherence, and context in redesigning