NASSP Applauds the Introduction of the Principal Recruitment and Training Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Bob Farrace, NASSP
703-860-7257, farraceb@principals.org

U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN; left) meets with NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi to discuss Franken's new principal development bill. (Photo by NASSP Staff)

RESTON, VA, Jan. 8, 2010—Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) and Rep. Susan Davis (D-CA) have introduced the School Principal Recruitment and Training Act (S. 2896/H.R. 4354), legislation that would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently known as No Child Left Behind, to create a grant program to recruit, support, and prepare high-quality principals to improve student academic achievement in high-need schools.

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has been working extensively with Sen. Franken over the past several months to help craft this legislation, and is pleased with the results of the final bill, particularly the attention it pays to the needs of struggling schools.

Sen. Franken, who championed the legislation, confirmed that “like any successful organization, schools need strong leaders to ensure their success.” He added, “One of the most common features of successful schools in high-need communities is the presence of an effective school principal. But despite the importance of school leadership, the federal government has not devoted adequate attention and resources to improving the quality of principals in schools. Our bill will create a pipeline of effective principals for high-need schools by providing high-quality programs with funding to recruit and train principals to take on the challenge of leading those schools.”

“NASSP applauds Sen. Franken and Rep. Davis for choosing to address principal training and professional development, which has the potential to positively impact the lives of all students, especially those in high-need schools,” said NASSP Executive Director Gerald N. Tirozzi. “We are proud to support this bill.”

Specifically, the grants would help districts form partnerships with nonprofit organizations or institutions of higher education to recruit, select, train, and support aspiring or current principals with track records of transforming student learning and outcomes. The grants would support sending these principals to schools in which 40% or more of the students are eligible for free and reduced meals and to high schools with a graduation rate of 65% or less and their feeder middle schools.

As part of the bill, aspiring principals would participate in a one-year preservice residency, coupled with at least two years of professional development after they complete their residency. Then, all principals receiving the grants would be required to serve at least four years in a high-need school and must work toward substantially increasing student academic achievement at those schools within approximately three to six years.

The bill was also cosponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Rep. Todd Russell Platts (R-PA)

About NASSP
In existence since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the preeminent organization of and national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. The mission of NASSP is to promote excellence in school leadership. NASSP administers the National Honor Society®, National Junior Honor Society®, National Elementary Honor Society®, and National Association of Student Councils®. For more information about NASSP, located in Reston, VA, visit www.principals.org.