Workshop on Principals Training: Conclusions and Recommendations Input for Roundtable Discussion

Impulses from Plenary Session 1 (I) Need for Professionalization of Principals – What starting package is needed and what CPD? Define Task Profile and Competences – Criteria for becoming a principal? Modularized approach Link training to licensing and promotion?

Impulses from Plenary Session 1 (II) Needs: team work, leadership skills, quality management (internal, external),… Career cycle of principals Modern (training) methods for modern schools (‘student-centered learning’) Practical training (case studies, etc.) but based on current research Training of trainers No ‘copy and paste’ but make use of available knowledge, experience and resources

Recommendations from WS 1 What? (Recommendations) Who? When? National strategy and standards for the CPD of principals (8 WGs!) CPD based on principals’ needs Establishment of Centers of Excellence Academic degrees (graduate and post-graduate studies) Accreditation of programs/providers Individual counseling Quality of trainers MoSES Agencies (MoSES) Agencies, MoSES, school founders MoSES, universities Agencies, … Agencies Agencies (MOSES, school founders) 1-2 y 3 m – 1 y 1 y 1 – 3 y

A side issue? What role for Quality Assurance? External and internal evaluation : schools (MoSES, Agencies) – Quality Assurance in Schools of crucial importance Monitoring of acquired competences (MoSES, Agencies, Founders…) – No steering of activities without quality control Exchange of Experience with colleagues – How to institutionalize this?

Recommendations from WS 2: Initial Training for Principals and CPD (I) License for principals: new vs. existing principals MoSES framework? Need for initial training of principals Decision on (number of) credits: license vs. post-graduate degree Modules Variety of trainings (‘market’) Obligatory parts vs. ‘add-ons’ Mentor for beginners but self-driven and responsible beginners

Recommendations from WS 2: Initial Training for Principals and CPD (II) Key trainings: Strategic planning and decision making Organizational models Human Resource Management Social skills IT, Communication/Public Relations, Quality Assurance (Evaluation, Data…), Financial planning, Stress and time management… Flexibility through modularized approach Appointment: Vs. political appointees, 10 years of experience?, University degree ‘Primus inter pares’ (best teacher) vs. ‘specific (principals) talents’ Training and re-training; licensing and re-licensing?