George W. Bush Institute Launches Initiative To Recruit, Train Principals

The AP (9/30) reports that on Wednesday, former first lady Laura Bush announced the George W. Bush Institute's first initiative focused on improving "the performance of school principals." The institute is establishing the Alliance to Reform Education Leadership (AREL), which "will consist of school districts, universities and foundations offering educational programs to current and future school leaders," with the goal of certifying "at least half the nation's public school principals by 2020." Already, "organizations in six cities are participating."

 

 Education Week (9/29, Aarons) reports that the initiative "also looks to broaden the talent pool for the profession by tapping into organizations such as Teach for America and New Leaders for New Schools to recruit a different set of school leaders." Roughly 200 "aspiring principals will take part in the programs" in the first year, "with plans to build up from there, said James W. Guthrie, a senior fellow and director of education policy studies for the institute."

 

The Dallas Morning News (9/30, Stahl) reports that the Dallas Independent School District is participating in AREL. A "spokesman said that the district is particularly hopeful the Bush initiative will develop job candidates for local secondary schools." The Dallas morning News adds that Bush and Dallas schools Superintendent Michael Hinojosa "stressed that the new effort should not be interpreted as a threat to educators who want to become principals through traditional channels. But they said they will actively search for job candidates with business, military and sports backgrounds."

 

McClatchy (9/29, Ayala) reported that "the models used in the alliance will vary across the nation but must include certain elements, such as mentoring. Guthrie said school districts also will be encouraged to give more authority to principals so they can truly be leaders."

"Irresistible Forces" Driving Change In Public Schools, Bush Institute Official Says. James W. Guthrie, the director of education policy studies at the George W. Bush Institute, writes in the Christian Science Monitor (9/29), "The recently released documentary, 'Waiting For Superman,' paints a discouraging future for America's schools" and "suggests that only a 'superman' can bring about public-school change." But Guthrie asserts that "superman has already arrived...as a set of irresistible forces that is driving education reform as never before." He lists the "forces" as "a growing understanding of what works...increasing public pressure, and" the need to make "hard choices in the face of fiscal crisis." Guthrie provides insight into how each of the forces are driving education reform in America and concludes, "I have never seen such a favorable alignment of forces on reform's side. ... The results will be good for students, good for teachers, and very good indeed for America."