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Frequently Asked Questions

updated October 4, 2024

General Questions
Q1: What is the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act?
A1: The School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act (§§ 16-6I-1 — 16-6I-7) was passed in June 2023 to (1) create and implement the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System for public K-12 education, (2) provide for the creation and implementation of a mentoring program for new principals and a continuing professional learning program for principals and assistant principals, and (3) provide annual stipends for principals and assistant principals who satisfactorily complete the requirements of the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System. 


Q2: Why focus on school leadership?
A2: School leaders are critical to student achievement and school success. They lead the work that creates the conditions for quality teaching and learning to occur in a school. For example, they determine how effective teachers are hired, developed, and retained, build a positive school climate, secure necessary resources, and ensure a safe and orderly learning environment. In a recent report synthesizing research on how principals impact students and schools, Grissom et al. (2021) stated that “principals really matter. Indeed, it is difficult to envision an investment with a higher ceiling on its potential return than a successful effort to improve principal leadership” (p. 43).


Q3: What is the goal of the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS)?
A3: The overarching goal of the APLDS is to increase the effectiveness of school administrators resulting in improved academic outcomes for all students. The indicators of success are improved principal retention, school climate, and student outcomes (e.g., achievement, growth).


Q4: What are the components of the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS)?
A4: There are several components of the APLDS including: (1) Alabama Standards for School Leadership, (2) Alabama Principal Leadership Framework, (3) School Leadership Evaluation System, (4) High-Quality Professional Learning, (5) Alabama New Principal Mentoring Program, and (6) Leadership Academy. The program will also provide additional resources for schools that have difficulty in recruiting and retaining effective school administrators as well as competitive grants and/or technical assistance for local school districts to develop principal pipeline programs. (Note: Competitive grants will be pending legislative appropriations.)


Q5: What is the design and implementation timeline?
A5: The APLDS will be developed and implemented in phases with full implementation by the 2029-30 school year. The timeline is outlined in the informational flyer titled "Principal Act Timeline".


Q6: Who is eligible to participate in the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS)?
A6: The School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act and APLDS only apply to school principals and assistant principals.
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