The need to recruit, support and retain the next generation of school leaders is well documented in research. This is an issue that needs a strategic approach, and an investment in leadership.

Representatives from the California Department of Education, the Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee of the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association, ACSA and the California Comprehensive Center at WestEd are continuing discussions on the creation of an aligned leadership development system that will address the growing needs in California.

This group has been spending the last several years determining what steps must be taken to ensure a solid future for educational leadership in California. They have been discussing the continuing need for working together on creating an infrastructure for high-quality professional development for all administrators in California.

Together, the members of the Integrated Leadership Development Initiative are working on a matrix for the various levels of administration – aspiring, new and veteran – with the goal of looking at ways to encourage leaders, especially highly accomplished leaders, to stay in the profession. An upcoming invitational scheduled in Burlingame in June will focus on that very topic, and will serve as a brainstorming session among stakeholders.

For more information on the Integrated Leadership Development Initiative, contact ACSA’s Kathleen McCreery at kmccreery@acsa.org.