Partnering With a State Dept. of Education for Leadership Development to Drive Positive School Outcomes

Solution & Results

As a result of the Institute’s work, South Carolina has a new cadre of leaders creating a student-centered environment and improving outcomes in schools across the state.

Surveys show program graduates are putting lessons learned into practice. They are taking an entrepreneurial approach to their work and promoting collaboration and consensus-building. They are strong problem solvers, navigate systems effectively, and know how to create a culture of ethics. They communicate their own excitement about learning and focus attention on student achievement.

In fact, the program is developing the level of public school leadership that research demonstrates is linked to student achievement. Importantly, the gains in leadership effectiveness seem unrelated to years of service. So early-career principals and superintendents are performing at the same level as those with far more experience, helping the Department of Education maintain high competency levels as senior educators retire.

Follow-up studies at 2 elementary schools led by SLEI graduates confirm the positive — and tangible — impact of the program. Students are performing at higher levels, discipline problems have plummeted, and teachers are far more satisfied in their work. Strong, effective leadership is helping principals achieve results that matter.