Next Level Maryland Leadership Academy

Developing the next generation of Maryland assistant principals and principals.

The Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) and Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) are the statewide professional organizations for school-based leaders. Capacity-building support was requested by MAESP and MASSP to design and implement research-informed professional learning experiences to prepare the next generation of Maryland school leaders who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to transition to and experience success in assistant principal and principal positions. The professional learning experience is an accelerated model designed to be completed in eight sessions over four months.

The Need

- Research suggests that solely earning a credential to become a school leader is not sufficient to support effectiveness in the role (Grissom, et al., 2017 and Grissom, et al., 2020).
- A new law in Maryland, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, places increased accountability on fostering the growth of high-quality school leaders.
- Inadequate preparation, in-service learning, and working conditions are contributing factors to leadership turnover (Levin and Bradley, 2019 and Darling-Hammond, et al., 2022).
- Given the importance of leaders to student and school success (Leithwood, et al., 2004; Gates, et al., 2019; Grissom, et al., 2021) and the need to prepare school leaders beyond traditional certification requirements, many school districts face a critical need to identify, train, place, and support new assistant principals and principals.

The Learning Plan

The Next Level Maryland Leadership Academy is a grow your own model designed to meet the unique needs of Maryland school leadership. The Academy is designed to establish collegial networks and provide practical experiences that will equip participants with the skills and knowledge to experience success in assistant principal and principal positions. The Academy serves as a bridge between what participants learn in their higher education administrator preparation programs and the actual duties performed by assistant principals and principals on the job. The learning plan consists of four learning modules facilitated across eight sessions. Learning modules are:

facilitated by local, state, and national experts,
aligned to leadership standards,
informed by research, and
encompass effective practices for engaging adult learners.

Participants can earn three continuing professional development credits from the Maryland State Department of Education toward renewal of their educator certification for successful completion of the Academy.

Full Learning Plan for Aspiring Assistant Principals with Dates and Locations

Full Learning Plan for Aspiring Principals with Dates and Locations

All participants receive resources to support their professional growth. Example resources used during the Academy to support application of content include but are not limited to:

Initial Blueprint Comprehensive Implementation Plan, Accountability and Implementation Board
Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, National Policy Board for Educational Administration
All Other Duties as Assigned: The Assistant Principal’s Critical Role in Supporting Schools Inside and Out, Ryan Donlan
How Leadership Works: A Playbook for Instructional Leaders, Cathy Lassiter, Douglas Fisher, Nancy Frey, and Dominique Smith
It’s the Manager: Moving from Boss to Coach, Jim Clifton and Jim Harter
Permission to Feel, Marc Brackett
Culturally Responsive School Leadership, Muhammad Khalifa
Racial Opportunity Costs: The Toll of Academic Success on Black and Latinx Students, Terah Venzant Chambers
Fighting the Good Fight: Narrative of the African American Principal, Isacc Carrier and Aaron Griffen