Institute filling principal shortage

School principals are in short supply these days, but a new institute at The College of Saint Rose in Albany aims to bridge that gap by training tomorrow's school administrators.

The Institute for New Era Educational Leadership and Innovation opened in September, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The institute is a joint effort of CSR; the Albany Diocese's Catholic schools; and schools and school districts in Albany, Amsterdam, Cohoes, Gloversville, Hudson, Lansingburgh and Schenectady.

Shortage

Institute director Dr. John Falco, formerly superintendent of Schenectady's schools, blamed the demanding nature of being a principal for the dearth of qualified applicants seeking administrative positions in schools.

"You have to truly be committed to do the job well," he stated.

Today's principals, he noted, must handle issues as diverse as nutrition programs for needy children and problems with transportation to school -- a far cry from the days when schools kept track of students with the help of the parish, parents who did not work outside the home, and neighborhoods where people knew one another and kept an eye on each other's children.

In addition, standardized tests are now required for students in third through eighth grade, and principals are held accountable when their schools don't perform well.

Retiring cohort

Dr. Falco cited a 2001 study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics that claimed about 60 percent of New York State's current school principals will be eligible for retirement within five years, and there are few interested candidates to replace them.

"I didn't wake up one morning and say, 'I want to be a school principal.' People encourage you to be in this profession," he pointed out. "That's what we want to happen" through the institute.

Over a three-year period, the institute will train 120 students, with the added bonuses that participants will earn credits toward state certification to be principals, receive tuition discounts and even get $1,500 stipends while they complete the program.

Mentoring

Dr. Falco was particularly excited about the institute's mentoring program: Students will shadow a principal or assistant principal and work with a mentor on an ongoing basis to learn more about their chosen profession.

Leaders of the institute also hope to develop policy recommendations for the New York State Department of Education on sustaining effective leadership for schools, especially in the high-needs districts the institute most wants to serve.

More than 40 students who enrolled for the institute's first year have already met for a panel discussion on the education field with area media professionals; classes begin this week.

"We try to find the best people we can, encourage them, support them, and then let them make an informed decision" on becoming school principals in New York State, said Dr. Falco, adding: "We hope to gain not just quantity to fill voids, but quality."

(Learn more at www.strose.edu.)

(1/26/06) [[In-content Ad]]