For programs:

• Outreach to recruit desired candidates into programs can strengthen the school leader talent pool. So can funding for things like salaries for candidates during their training period.      
• Aligning programming with leader standards is important. So is the breadth and coherence of their learning experiences before and after principals  enter the field.
• Durable partnerships between districts and universities promote  consistent, coherent professional development.
• Key program features, such as internships, have been shown to produce powerful learning. But those features need to be well implemented. They also need to be mutually reinforcing with other program elements. 
• Effective programs need significant resources. 

For policymakers:

• A purposeful state and district  policy agenda can significantly shape the design, quality, and impact of school leader development. 
• What programs can  accomplish, whom they can recruit, and how they are designed all depend on funding. Not just the amount but also its sources and the requirements attached to it. That means state and district financing policies really matter.