First Ring Leadership Academy | Cleveland State University in Partnership with the First Ring School Superintendents Collaborative
Program Summary
Introduction
In a one-of-a-kind collaboration, the 13 First Ring School Districts surrounding the city of Cleveland have joined forces with Cleveland State University's College of Education and Human Services to create a leadership academy for aspiring and current school leaders. The First Ring Leadership Academy is an alternative route to principal licensure and recertification.
First Ring Leadership Academy members benefit from state-of-the-art licensure, life-long career networking, and renewal opportunities. The region will benefit by building capacity for educational leadership and school reform.
Theory of Change
Change leaders gain inspiration, articulate their vision, maintain their focus, and engage others and resources to make things happen (Morin, 2003).
Definition of Leadership
Michael Fullan, in The Moral Imperative of School Leadership (2003, Corwin Press, Inc.), states, "We need principals who develop leadership in others, thereby strengthening school leadership beyond themselves." Fullan also borrows from the work of Collins in his book, Good to Great (2001, HarperCollins) when he writes that the kind of principals we need are more like "chief operating officers than managers." Principals need to be like Collins' level 5 leaders, i.e., "Executives who build enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will." Fullan concludes by saying, "There is no greater moral imperative than revamping the principal's role as part and parcel of changing the context within which teachers and students learn." The Academy defines leadership positions as department chair, director, supervisor, coordinator, assistant principal, principal, and central office personnel.
Mission Statement
The Academy's core mission is to create the next generation of leaders for First Ring Schools and sustain their leadership over time in a way that benefits their schools, their extended communities, and the learning lives of children. The Academy's vision is to Recruit, Train, and Retain School Leaders capable of Meeting Challenges unique to First Ring School Districts. It is expected that the First Ring Leadership Academy will increase regional capacity for educational leadership and school reform.
Costs
As currently figured, the cost per participant is $8,500 for the 15 month program which is a 22 credit hour program. The cost is paid by either the participant or the participant's school district. The Academy funds excess costs through grants and tuition.
Licensure
As the result of the Academy experience, i.e., 220 contact hours, and 22 graduate credit hours, participants gain principal licensure or recertification. Although participants pay tuition (many are reimbursed by their school districts), the cost of books and speakers are absorbed in the Academy budget. It is an intended outcome that the Academy will create a sustainable network of school leaders in the region. Graduates also have the opportunity to facilitate for later cohorts by completing the Faculty Training Program upon invitation.
The Ohio State Department of Education has approved the First Ring Leadership Academy as an alternative program for licensure to the principalship. Further, the Academy satisfies the Department’s scoring rubric for its entry year program including the portfolio component. Embedded within the fact that the Academy has been developed to recruit, train, and retain exemplary principals for First Ring Schools is an expectation for reality-based training to better prepare school leaders. Members of the Academy may earn up to 22 graduate credits from Cleveland State University which will suffice for licensure if they need it, as well as be applied towards a Masters, Education Specialist, or PhD degrees.
Standards
Although all ISLLC standards are addressed in its program, the First Ring Leadership Academy emphasizes the ISLLC standard for School Leaders which states, "A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community.
Measuring K-12 Student Success
The Academy is working with the Battelle Research Institute on a longitudinal study of the impact of the program on K-12 student achievement. The Academy will look to results once they are available.
Contact
Deborah E. Morin, Executive Director
First Ring Leadership Academy
Cleveland State University
2121 Euclid Ave., KB 1508
Cleveland OH, 44108
Phone: 216.687.9209 | Fax: 216.875.9966 | Email: d.e.morin@csuohio.edu
More Information
Find all links for the First Ring Leadership Academy
Disclaimer
e-Lead provides information on professional-development programs for school leaders that have submitted detailed information and that also meet certain standards-based criteria. Programs listed at the e-Lead website are not endorsed by either the Institute for Educational Leadership or Temple University's Laboratory for Student Success.