Balanced Leadership
Audience
This opportunity is designed for principals at all levels. More than one principal from a district may decide to attend, because planning and discussion may be more meaningful in the district context. Districts are encouraged to participate as a team, e.g., principal and superintendent or other supporting central office leader, in order to plan together and support the learning and implementation.
Description
Balanced Leadership™ training is based upon the book "School Leadership that Works" by McNulty, Marzano and Waters (2005).
School leaders will learn how leadership can positively impact student achievement. They will learn about the 21 leadership responsibilities and 66 practices associated with effective principals. Participants will:
- interact with others in school leadership;
- guide and monitor attainment of building and district goals; and
- reflect upon learning and growth through 360-Degree Feedback Survey.
Balanced Leadership™ consists of Modules 1-4, each being two consecutive days. Training consists of some direct content instruction, opportunity for district dialogue, opportunity for individual reflection, and application activities that continue over time. There are no prerequisites to attend Year 1 training.
Standards for School Leaders
All six standards are addressed.
Intended outcomes
Administrators participating in a three-year Balanced Leadership™ Academy cohort will have the opportunity to:
- enhance their knowledge and skills to identify what is needed to increase student achievement;
- network with other colleagues and learn from one another;
- improve practice through follow-up support;
- design processes and infrastructures to increase student achievement;
- model and demonstrate the expected Iowa Standards for School Leaders;
- guide and monitor attainment of building and district goals; and
- reflect upon learning and growth through the 360-Degree Feedback Survey.
The intended outcome is for principals to understand the responsibilities that have a stronger influence on increased student learning and to take action in their district/building to focus on these responsibilities.
Evaluation
Intended outcome 1: Participants complete personal evaluation forms that provide this information.
Intended outcome 2 is accomplished through observation during the modules.
Intended outcome 3: Each AEA determines what type of follow up support is to be provided. At the completion of the training, participants complete a personal action plan based upon the data in their 360 survey. This action plan includes intended outcomes #4, #5, #6, and #7.
As principals are evaluated by central office leaders, demonstration of the 21 responsibilties and the 66 associated practices will be apparent. Each principal, through evaluation, will be able to determine areas of strength and areas for needed growth, based upon student achievement in the building.
Logistics
Dates/Times: Each AEA has specified dates and times for training.
Location will be dependent upon the AEA sponsoring the training. If principals are not able to attend certain dates and times, or if a location is less accessible, principals may elect to take the training in another AEA.
Costs (registration fees, meals, materials, books, other resources) may vary. Check with the contact person in the AEA to find this information. Registration costs generally include meals and materials. Lodging, transportation, and personal amenities are personal expenses.
How to register
Check with the contact person (below) in your AEA for registration information.
Credit options
Three renewal credits. Graduate credit may be earned through the AEA and their collaborative university or college partner for an additional fee.
Partners/Sponsors
Each AEA has made a commitment to provide Balanced Leadership™ for principals in its school districts. The Iowa DE and other educational agencies support the Balanced Leadership™ research and training opportunities.
Connections
Iowa Leadership: Balanced Leadership™ training is based upon the research from McREL. Participants will be able to make connections between Balanced Leadership™ and other leadership professional learning opportunities offered through Iowa’s Leadership Development System.
Iowa Standards for School Leaders (6/35): The Iowa Standards for School Leaders has been cross-referenced with McREL’s Balanced Leadership™. Direct connections will be made in follow-up and support sessions between modules.
Iowa Evaluator Approval Training Program II (IEATP II) - Evaluation of Administrators: Balanced Leadership is integrated in IEATP II. It is the foundational research used in the training to describe the 21 principal responsibilities.
Professional development design
Training (theory, demonstration*, practice*, coaching*, feedback*) and involvement in a development/improvement process.
*Collaboration, coaching, feedback, and follow-up support may be provided through various formats from each AEA.
Provider
Iowa AEAs
Primary Contact
| AEA 1 | George Holland |
| AEA 267 | Sara McInerny |
| AEA 8 | Kim Rost, Sandy Spangler |
| NWAEA | Pam Barry, Barb Chambers |
| AEA 9 | Kris Wolzen, Georgie Koenig |
| AEA 10 | Lisa Fry |
| AEA 11 | Sharon Kurns |
| AEA 13 | Joan Crowl |
| AEA 14 | David VanHorn |
| GPAEA | Donna Goettsche |
More information
Additional information is available from the AEAs.
