Guidance on Federal Funding to Enhance School Leadership

Wallace joins four education organizations to ask that the U.S. Department of Education clarify the permissible uses of funding under the then-new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to support principals and other school leaders. 

Title II and other portions of ESSA and its predecessor laws have traditionally allowed funding for both teacher and school leader development, the letter notes. School leadership, however, has often been sidelined. Recent evidence points to the important role of effective school leadership in advancing student achievement. It is important that this body of evidence inform the preparation of state and school district plans for use of ESSA funding.

Department guidance specifically about the preparation and support of principals and other school leaders would call attention to the flexibility ESSA gives states and districts to make leadership a priority.  The letter recommends that the guidance make a number of things clear. One is that funding under applicable provisions of ESSA's Title I and Title II can pay for school leadership enhancement efforts.   

The letter's other signers are: the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and New Leaders. Attached to letter is a bibliography of Wallace-commissioned research and other reports on the role of principals and other school leaders in improving education.