Thousands of Students Need Topnotch Leaders 

Urban School Leaders, a cutting-edge leadership training opportunity for a select group of outstanding educators is preparing some of America’s best future educational leaders for administrative careers in key areas of the Los Angeles Unified School District.  Applications from highly qualified teachers in LAUSD, Local Districts 5, 6, 7, and 8 who wish to become assistant principals or principals in high-needs schools will be  accepted starting January 2009.  Outstanding assistant principals and principals who wish to be considered for area leadership positions may also apply.  Each of these leaders will shape the future of thousands of students.  Are you ready?

If you are employed as a certificated employee of LAUSD Local Districts 5, 6, 7, & 8, and you are interested in being part of this grant, please email judyradeke@gmail.com stating your interest and in what group you wish to participate.

Partnerships make this grant possible

This opportunity to change thousands of lives is offered through the California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)’s Local Districts 5, 6, 7 and 8, and the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles (AALA) and funded by the School Leadership Program, Office of Innovation and Improvement, U. S. Department of Education.

Choose One of Four Group Participant Opportunities for Urban Leadership"

1.   Teachers in the Tier I credential program, to earn a preliminary credential and master’s degree. (Stipend upon successful completion of program)

2.   Teachers with an administrative credential and master’s degree, to become eligible for Los Angeles Unified School District promotion and attain their first principal or assistant principal job. (Stipend upon successful completion placement on LAUSD eligibility list)

3.   Principals and assistant principals with less than two years of experience, to assure success and retention in their jobs. (Stipend upon successful completion of program)

4.   Principals and assistant principals with two to five years of experience in the Tier II credential program who serve as mentors to Group 3, to earn their professional credential and assure retention in their jobs and possible promotion.  (Stipend upon successful completion of program)

Participants: Recruitment will start January 2009 and applications for participation will begin January 2009.  

Aspiring leaders (Group 1) will earn their preliminary credential and master’s degree (required by LAUSD) in an innovative program with substantial school-based work experience in only 12-16 months. Those with a credential (Group 2) will join quarterly activities for help in completing the 6-12-month LAUSD eligibility process and being placed as an assistant principal or principal. New principals and assistant principals (Group 3) with less than 2 years’ experience will be mentored and will participate in quarterly group activities to increase retention and student achievement. Principals and assistant principals (Group 4) with 2-5 years’ experience will earn their professional administrative credential (required) and participate in activities that will increase retention and student achievement.

Orientation Sessions:

LD 5 - Tuesday,  January 27, 2009 at  4:00 p.m., Wilson HS Multipurpose Rm
LD 7 - Thursday, January 29, 2009 at  4:30 p.m.  location TBD
LD 8 - Tuesday,  February 3, 2009 at  4:30 p.m.. Meyler ES Auditorium
LD 6 - Thursday, February 5, 2009 at  4:00 p.m.  location TBD

Leadership Learning Community: All USL participants will become members of the Leadership Learning Community, a professional network and learning community in which members and groups interact collegially and encourage each other. Some activities are for all learning community members, while others will be for specific groups.

The Leadership Learning Community’s major activities are:  

Local District Needs to Improve Student Achievement: The USL project management team, which includes representatives from each local district and participant group, will review achievement data in the targeted local districts to establish learning community themes, each summer. Considering the data and in consultation with local district leaders, the management team will identify and prioritize one to two focus areas for each local district that are aligned with the district priorities. The management team also will identify the chief barriers to progress and assess what instructional and cultural strategies teachers will need to address the challenges. The focus areas, barriers and strategies will be integrated into the Leadership Learning Community activities for all groups during the year.  

All participants (Groups 1-4) will attend Leadership Learning Community activities that provide professional development related to the leadership strategies needed to overcome the barriers to student achievement that are specific to their local districts.

Why Urban School Leaders Are Crucial Now

During the years immediately ahead, an entire generation of baby-boomers will reach retirement age.  LAUSD will be searching for excellent replacements and inspiring new leaders.  The best-prepared assistant principals, principals, area and district administrators have a rare opportunity to bring new skills and success to our urban schools.  We believe that to have a good community, state or nation, good schools are essential.  Our economy, our future and our quality of life will rise or fall with our urban areas and urban schools, which educate a majority of the students in the United States.  This is a matter of national consequence that depends upon the education of all students.  To a great extent, it depends upon you and how well-equipped you are to lead.

Do You Have What It Takes?

Meeting the growing challenges facing urban schools requires talented, committed, determined, inspiring leaders—like you.   Not only must you be an excellent learner and teacher yourself.  You must have what it takes to become an exemplary leader who has a solid track record of narrowing the achievement gap for students, motivating staff, engaging parents in their children’s education, involving stakeholders, building community support and becoming an effective advocate for all of the students and families we serve.  Urban students are no less deserving of an excellent education than students in any other community.  Yet many are struggling to survive.  That is why we are preparing the next generation of school leaders to change their lives. 

Your Success is Our Highest Priority

California State University Dominguez Hills Educational Administration Program enjoys one of the highest placement rates of graduates among major California universities.  It has a reputation for providing practical, hands-on experiences that prepare educational leaders to succeed and excel.  Teamwork and collaboration give our graduates a significant advantage.  Years after completing a Masters of Arts in Educational Administration, many of our alumni who worked and studied together as cohort groups at CSUDH still keep in touch and provide an informal network of encouragement and support. They phone, text message or email one another and their former professors to share their successes or to consult about timely one-the-job issues that they are solving.  Once you are a member of a CSUDH Learning Team, you have allies who will help you to attain excellence with your school and students and to advance your career and leadership opportunities.

 Urban School Leaders Provide Real-World Experience

Unlike the abstract esoteric theory offered by some universities, what will you receive from Urban School Leaders?  Their no-nonsense presentations and stimulating activities provide practical, timely, real-world experience.  Professors include some of the most successful principals and academic leaders of America’s best urban schools.  These beat-the-odds schools and leaders share what works, what to expect and how to prepare for our nation’s most challenging and most important work.  They understand the obstacles and are adept at finding a way to get better results for students.