Colleagues for Success | Virginia Association of Secondary School Principals (VASSP) and the Virginia Department of Education
Program Description
Colleagues for Success is the leadership component of Virginia's recently-funded 2005 National Governor's Association (NGA) grant proposal. This component offers the opportunity to develop additional leadership capacity among selected high school principals to improve innovative thinking and support for increasing academic rigor and opportunities for students, particularly those in underserved high schools. Principals in (up to 30) targeted high schools will receive training and have the opportunity to access a network of colleague-coaches to provide support and technical assistance during the two-year tenure of the grant. The focus will be on high schools where there is a large achievement gap among subgroups of students and other related factors. This program will be founded in recommendations offered by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' Breaking Ranks II initiative, a program that engages principals, teacher leaders, and the entire school community in reforming the American high school.Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Planning & Assessment (ISLLC standard 3) and Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1)Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program participants will demonstrate the ability to improve increased academic rigor and opportunities for students.Program Format
On-site symposia, group follow-up sessions, and individual and small-group discussions.Target Audience
Principals participating in Virginia's NGA grant.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
No response.Duration of Program
Multiple sessions over two years.Outcomes Measured
A range of student measures including 9th-grade retention rates, graduation rates, and student achievement.Program Evaluation
Structure to be determined.Contact Information
James C. Firebaugh, Director
Office of Middle and High School Instruction
Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, VA 23218-2120
(804) 225-2651
james.firebaugh@doe.virginia.gov