Report From National Conference of State Legislatures Examines Leadership in Education
(6-25-10) Measures to boost the performance of principals, superintendents and other education leaders were enacted in at least 23 states during the 2009 legislative season, according to the report, Strong Leaders Strong Schools: 2009 School Leadership Laws, an annual look at how state lawmakers are responding to the need for stronger school leaders. One important spur to the 43 new laws came from the federal government’s Race to the Top program, which established a contest among states for grants from a $4.35 billion fund for improving education. To make themselves more competitive, a number of states re-examined teacher and leader policies. New laws cover issues ranging from inspection of higher education preparation programs to bonuses for master principals.