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Program Overview
PI candidates begin the program by attending a three-day intensive retreat held in either August or January, depending on program entrance date. The retreat offers workshops on specific topics of a critical nature for new school leaders, instructional sessions on the process for completing the PI, as well as incorporate individual coaching sessions that will assist the candidates in developing their first year Learning Contract.
The PI Learning Contract guides the principal in his or her development and completion of the program. Candidates and coaches will assess how work in the field, on theoretical and practical levels, will align with the Learning Contract in order for the PI candidate to complete the program.
A minimum of five Participatory Action Research projects (PAR) must be integrated into the Learning Contract; each PAR is directly related to work in the PI candidate's school. Candidates are encouraged to design PAR projects that are transformational in nature and relevant to the needs of the candidate and the school community. PARs must also demonstrate proficiency in accordance with the Colorado State Principal Standards. One PAR must be chosen that will have a significant impact on the school community and be shared during a formal presentation held at the conclusion of the candidate's program. Candidates present either in December or May, depending on when they graduate.
PI candidates will attend two additional three-day intensives, one at mid-program and one at the end of the program. These additional intensives will be used for candidates to meet with their coaches to review their Learning Contracts and assess work completed to that point. Additionally, PI candidates attend facilitated study circles with other school leaders to deconstruct critical issues facing school communities. Candidates will attend sessions led by experts in the field of organizational change, educational accountability, educational innovation and reform, and data-driven decision-making.
In between intensives, PI candidates will receive ongoing support and coaching through online discussions focused on one topic per month, and monthly in-person coaching sessions. The PI offers monthly Saturday (three each semester) workshops led by expert school leaders across a range of issues:
- Data Analysis and Implications for Delivering High-Quality Instruction
- Effective Professional Development Planning
- Collaborative Staff Evaluation Processes
- Risk and Fiscal Management
- Academic Accountability
- Dialogue and Community Leadership within Schools
Candidates are encouraged to attend as many of these sessions as possible. For those who live too great a distance to attend in person, sessions will be available online through Adobe Connect (or other online learning system), and all provided readings and documents will also be available through the online learning management system.
Program Completion
Completion of the program is evidenced through the following:
- Completion of a professional portfolio containing artifacts and reflections that reference the Colorado principal standards
- Presentation of the Participatory Action Research Project to the cohort
- Submission of letters of recommendation from candidate's direct supervisor, program coach, and at least one peer school leader
- Submission of successful evaluation