10/31/2008 6:00:00 AM KUSD to benefit from ASU grant
Aaron Royster Miner Staff Reporter
KINGMAN - The Kingman Unified School District has been selected with nine districts across the state to participate in school leadership training.
Arizona State University West's College of Teacher Education and Leadership will provide the training utilizing a $3.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Through the college's existing video conferencing network, teachers and principals will be able to remotely attend a principal certification program.
"This grant is welcome news to Kingman because of our isolated location," said KUSD Assistant Superintendent Betsy Parker. "It is often difficult to attend professional development sessions. This program will enable us to 'grow our own' when it comes to quality administrators."
The two-year program will begin next fall, with selections in the spring.
"If we can create, cultivate and maintain great leaders, we can do the same with teachers," said Steve Des Georges, director of public relations and marketing at ASU West.
The program will be built on the needs of the partner districts and the recommendations of current exemplary principal certification programs.
"Collaboration like this between the university and the district is very important," Parker said. "The input from current administrators and the achievement of our district goals and vision can be facilitated with this program. The communication with trainees will enable them to grow and learn while they are in the school settings."
Scott Ridley, the college's assistant dean for partnerships and an associate professor, said there are two components to the program.
The first is principal certification. The program requires a full-year internship, intensive observation and a unique coaching framework focusing on self-reflection by candidates to assist them in problem-solving, data analysis and leadership techniques.
"We want to identify 20 people," Ridley said, "some of the districts' most-promising."
The second is a principal academy. The academy will offer application-oriented workshops and advanced professional development seminars with the option of site-based, individualized coaching and campus visits.
"There are no limits to video conferencing," Ridley said. "It used to be that this type of program was limited in scope, but now we are reaching into every corner of the state, and the different districts' norms are getting exposed to each other. This helps standardize the high quality of the programs across the state."
Representatives with ASU will meet with KUSD representatives next week to discuss applying for the program, Ridley said.
"The primary thing we would like to see improved and addressed is recognizing and promoting good teaching practices," Parker said. "We want administrators who can walk into a room and offer constructive change ideas within the first 15 minutes. We want trained observers who are familiar with educational rigor, relevance and meaningful engagement."
Funding for the program comes from the Urban and Rural Bridge for Action Network - Excellence and Collaboration in Educational Leadership grant.
