Background
Principals are second only to classroom instruction in school-related influences on student learning—and are central to meeting expectations for turning around low-performing schools. To effectively meet these challenges and help close equity and achievement gaps, principals need focused preparation and ongoing support as they navigate the ever-changing realities of the job.A more deliberate approach to cultivating and supporting new school leaders—a principal pipeline made up of four aligned parts—offers a strategy to improve schools districtwide and boost principal retention.NAESP believes that: