A Better Way to Prepare Principals: Impact of a Competency-Based Fellowship on Aspiring Principals' Growth into Leadership

The Leadership Instruction for Teachers (LIFT) program is a collaboration among the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, Texas Tech University, and 12 high-need school districts across Texas and Louisiana. Facilitated through a Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant, this partnership worked to build capacity within districts through university preparation and a competency-based fellowship. Evaluation of the impact of the LIFT program shows successful recruitment of high-quality aspiring principals into the program, improvement of leadership and coaching skills, positive perceptions toward the program, and placement of graduates in leadership positions in high-need schools upon program completion.