Principal Selection Process Denver Public Schools

High-level Overview: Principal Selection Process Lead in Denver Pre-Screen Applicant Screening for Qualified Principal Candidate Pool Advisory Committee for Principal Selection Finalist Engagement Superintendent Interview and Offer

Pre-Screen Process Online Application and Principal Applicant Survey Initial Screening by Lead in Denver screeners Paper screen of resume, cover letter, and letters of recommendation Phone interview discussing past performance Successful completion of this stage will advance candidate to the in-person interview. * Screeners: former principals, former HR manager and directors

Screening for Qualified Principal Pool Applicants experience a rigorous, 4 hour interview process demonstrating their skills and abilities in activities that are aligned with the DPS School Leadership Framework identified as being critical to lead successfully in DPS. This interview event is scored by instructional superintendents. Interview tasks: Group budget activity Data activity Parent role-play Teacher observation and feedback role-play Q&A Interview Successful completion of this interview stage will advance candidate into the Qualified Principal Candidate Pool.

Benefits of the first two levels of the selection process for our schools Capacity at the school level is reserved for candidates who have successfully demonstrated competencies aligned to the DPS framework. The Advisory Committee can then focus on finding someone who aligns with their specific job description. For example, the Advisory Principal Selection Committee will not need to spend any time reviewing the resumes or candidates who lack basic eligibility for the principalship (such as licensure).

Advisory Committee for Principal Selection Selection of Advisory Committee for Principal Selection members occurs at the school site. Only “Qualified Principal Candidate Pool” participants will be selected to interview with an Advisory Committee for Principal Selection. IS/ED reviews Qualified Principal Pool to identify and refer well-matched candidates for school site interviewing. Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

Advisory Committee for Principal Selection (cont.) IS/ED facilitates the Advisory Committee Interviews Engages Advisory Committee in conversation related to school strengths and needs Engages the Human Resources Partner in training of the Advisory Committee Adds to district-wide Interview Questions by having Advisory Committee reflect on identified needs and select additional interview questions from the Framework-based Question Bank Develops summary of each candidate’s Strengths and Needs IS/ED provides Advisory Committee data to Asst. Supt./Chief as proposal for candidate advancement to Finalist status Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

Finalist Engagement Deep Reference Check Community Forum Learning Walk Will focus on gaps in information and confirmation of data collected through the process- may include site visit Community Forum All principal selection processes will include the opportunity for the community to “meet” the Finalists. This will typically be in the format of a Community Forum, but may also be a meet and greet activity, depending on the situation Learning Walk The Learning Walk will follow a consistent, Framework –aligned protocol Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

Superintendent Interview and Offer Instructional Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent present Candidate Profile form to the Superintendent. Finalists interview with the Superintendent and Asst. Superintendent. Final selection of the Principal Candidate is made by the Superintendent. Framework: Culture and Equity Leadership; Instructional Leadership; Strategic Leadership; Community Leadership; Human Resources Leadership Competencies: Lead’s to the school’s vision, evidence of self-reflection and continuous growth

High-level Overview: Principal Selection Process Lead in Denver Pre-Screen Applicant Screening for Qualified Principal Candidate Pool Advisory Committee for Principal Selection Finalist Engagement Superintendent Interview and Offer