SUPERINTENDENT'S URBAN PRINCIPAL INITIATIVE TO BE LAUNCHED TODAY


October 13, 2004


Thirteen Miami-Dade County Public Schools administrators today will begin an intensive internship to prepare them for the challenge of improving the district's urban secondary schools. Known as the Superintendent's Urban Principal Initiative (SUPI), the program will develop leadership skills among high school and middle school administrators to prepare them for principalships in the school district's highest-need secondary schools.

Today's orientation will provide interns with mentors from schools within the Superintendent's School Improvement Zone and will emphasize research and effective shadowing skills. During the second nine weeks of this school year, participants will shadow their mentors, observing the reality of urban secondary schools and completing tasks as assigned. They will also attend evening functions, weekend football games, and school district and School Improvement Zone meetings, as well as community-outreach and parent-involvement meetings. Interns will also visit two additional Zone schools and an ACCESS Center to further their understanding of school district operations.

Participants will study in groups during November and December to share concerns and challenges, brainstorm solutions and act as sounding boards for their colleagues. From February to May 2005, the interns will participate in ongoing professional development activities. They also will complete an action research project focusing on the improvement of student achievement and will maintain journals of their internship experiences.

Administrators who complete the program will be eligible to assume principalships in urban schools as opportunities arise.

Funding has been arranged by The Education Fund with a grant from Wachovia Foundation and matching federal funds from Title II. Program participants were selected by an interview committee.

For more information, contact program director Mary Jackson-Johnson at 305-995-3099.

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04-LJG/048/JJS

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