The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM) requested capacity building services from the Region 4 Comprehensive Center (R4CC) in the development and facilitation of professional learning experiences for new Maryland superintendents. Approximately 40% of Maryland superintendents were hired during the 2022-2023 school year. Professional learning experiences focused understanding and adhering to Maryland laws, regulations, and policies; implementing effective budgeting practices; establishing relationships with boards of education, elected officials, and community members; and navigating the political landscape of Maryland. The professional learning experience supports effective entry and success in the superintendency, fosters peer collaboration, and provides the opportunity to learn from experienced Maryland superintendents. For additional information, visit the meeting webpage.
Developing the Next Generation of Assistant Principals and Principals: Next Level Maryland Leadership Academy
School leadership is essential to student and school success. The Maryland Association of Elementary School Principals (MAESP) and the Maryland Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP) requested capacity building support to systematically grow, strengthen, and retain the school leader pipeline in Maryland. The Next Level Maryland Leadership Academy is a research informed, grow your own learning experience that builds collegial networks and provides practical experiences to prepare the next generation of Maryland assistant principals and principals. Access the Academy webpage to review the learning plan and additional information about the Academy.
Supporting High-Quality Work-Based Learning Experiences PreK-12
The R4CC team supported MSDE in strengthening career and technical education (CTE) by developing a continuum of work-based experiences from career awareness through career training, and in identifying standards and measures of quality in these experiences. Grounded in current research, the continuum includes specific illustrations of types of experiences that have evidence of effectiveness as well as a framework to measure the quality of experiences.
Developing the Next Generation of Maryland District Leaders: The Maryland Superintendent Academy
In the 2021-2022 school year, 40% of Maryland school districts had superintendent openings that needed to be filled prior to the start of the next school year, with more anticipated over the course of the next few years. The Public School Superintendents’ Association of Maryland (PSSAM) wanted to proactively address superintendent turnover by establishing a pipeline of future Maryland school district leaders that are equipped with the skills and knowledge to successfully transition to the role of superintendent. The R4CC team is helping PSSAM implement a year-long professional learning experience, grounded in research-based practices and designed to build the bench of qualified, prepared, and diverse Maryland superintendents. Participants function as a community of practice, learning from national experts and current and former Maryland superintendents. The Academy provides participants a competitive advantage in the application and interview process and practical experiences to support a successful transition to the superintendency. The first Academy cohort launched in August 2022. For additional information, visit the meeting webpage.
Developing the Next Generation of School Leaders: Calvert County Next Level Leadership Principal Academy
The Calvert County Next Level Leadership Principal Academy is a nine-month, accelerated professional learning experience designed to prepare current assistant principals and central office staff for the principalship. The Academy is a grow-your-own model, intentionally developed by Calvert County Public Schools in collaboration with the R4CC to meet the unique needs of future principals in the school district. This work is grounded in research-based practices and leverages the knowledge of national, state, and local experts to strengthen the principal pipeline for the district. The first Academy cohort launched in July 2022.