69传媒

School & District Management

What鈥檚 Next for Principal Apprenticeships? 3 Things to Know

By Evie Blad 鈥 July 25, 2023 2 min read
Image shows a hand arranging wood block stacking as step stair on paper.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

Plumbers, builders, and ... principals?

For many, the notion of apprenticeships stirs mental images of tradespeople learning their craft under skilled, experienced mentors.

But advocates for grow-your-own programs in schools say apprenticeships could also strengthen principal preparation while opening up a new pool of potential candidates.

The effort got a big boost recently when the U.S. Department of Labor approved 鈥淜-12 principal鈥 as a qualifying occupation for federal apprenticeship programs.

Here鈥檚 what comes next.

What鈥檚 new: Federal approval frees up new funding

The Labor Department鈥檚 July 10 approval of the principal apprenticeship designation came at the request of education leaders in North Dakota, who will soon launch a program in their state.

The principal apprenticeship effort follows the rapid scaling up of federally registered teacher apprenticeship programs, which have expanded to since that occupation first received federal apprenticeship approval in 2022.

On-the-job training for principals isn鈥檛 a new concept. Rhode Island, for example, is known for a principal residency program that helps train future leaders on site in schools.

But the apprenticeship designation frees up streams of state and federal funding for principal-preparation programs. That could help cover the cost of tuition, books, and even supportive services like child care.

Such supports eliminate a huge barrier for talented teachers who may not want to take on additional student loan debt to climb the career ladder, said David Donaldson, the founder and managing partner of the National Center for Grow Your Own, which helped North Dakota with its application.

What鈥檚 next: The first state plans to launch a principal apprenticeship program

North Dakota plans to become the first state with a principal apprenticeship program as soon as this fall. It will fund the program with its share of Every Student Succeeds Act Title II funding, which is targeted at preparing school leaders.

North Dakota leaders hope to use the federal apprenticeship designation to qualify the program for additional state and federal funds in the future, said Laurie Matzke, assistant superintendent at the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction.

How it will work: A state university will partner with a cluster of districts to fund apprenticeship spots. Principal candidates will spend at least a year working as an assistant principal while they complete graduate coursework in school leadership. The result: Incoming principals with more real-world experience than a candidate would receive through a traditional program with a short-term practicum.

鈥淲e believe this is a way to not only have more principals but more highly effective principals,鈥 State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said.

Down the road: Any state can apply to create a principal apprenticeship plan

The new federal designation cleared the way for any state to create a principal apprenticeship program similar to North Dakota鈥檚 and apply for federal grants to fund it, said Donaldson.

The National Center for Grow Your Own website had record traffic the day the designation was announced, he said, much of it from leaders in other states who are interested in apprenticeship possibilities.

The center, which helped popularize teacher apprenticeships, plans to work with North Dakota to develop a playbook other states can use to develop the principal model.

Events

School & District Management Webinar Crafting Outcomes-Based Contracts That Work for Everyone
Discover the power of outcomes-based contracts and how they can drive student achievement.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Harnessing AI to Address Chronic Absenteeism in 69传媒
Learn how AI can help your district improve student attendance and boost academic outcomes.
Content provided by 
School & District Management Webinar EdMarketer Quick Hit: What鈥檚 Trending among K-12 Leaders?
What issues are keeping K-12 leaders up at night? Join us for EdMarketer Quick Hit: What鈥檚 Trending among K-12 Leaders?

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide 鈥 elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

School & District Management Reports Strategic Resourcing for K-12 Education: A Work in Progress
This report highlights key findings from surveys of K-12 administrators and product/service providers to shed light on the alignment of purchasing with instructional goals.
School & District Management Download Shhhh!!! It's Underground Spirit Week, Don't Tell the 69传媒
Try this fun twist on the Spirit Week tradition.
Illustration of shushing emoji.
iStock/Getty
School & District Management Opinion How My Experience With Linda McMahon Can Help You Navigate the Trump Ed. Agenda
I have a lesson for district leaders from my (limited) interactions with Trump鈥檚 pick for ed. secretary, writes a former superintendent.
Joshua P. Starr
4 min read
Vector illustration of people walking on upward arrows, symbolizing growth, progress, and teamwork towards success.
iStock/Getty Images
School & District Management Opinion How Social-Emotional Learning Can Unify Your School Community: 7 Timely Tips
It鈥檚 a stressful political season. These SEL best practices can help school leaders weather the unpredictable transitions.
Maurice J. Elias
4 min read
Modern digital collage of caring leader surrounded by positivity. Social Emotional learning leadership.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva