The Futures Project | The Virginia Beach City Public Schools Office of Organizational Development
Program Description
The Futures Project is a dynamic multi-tiered leadership program created to prepare current and aspiring administrators to become successful leaders in this school division. Through a systems approach to succession planning, appropriately licensed Virginia Beach City Public Schools staff members are offered the opportunity to take their leadership skills and knowledge to the next level in the position of administrative intern, assistant principal, or principal. The Futures Principals' Academy (the first tier) is designed to prepare aspiring principals and assistant principals for school leadership positions. The seven-module program is delivered by current Virginia Beach administrators and addresses the management and instructional skill sets administrators need to be successful. The second tier is the Leaders Mentoring Leaders (LML) Program that consists of three components. A mandatory three-day LML Conference for all newly appointed principals, assistant principals and administrative interns. In addition, LML offers a year-long series of seminars developed expressly for new principals to focus on their most important leadership concerns and needs. The third component is the LML Cohort, which complements the professional development offered, is a formal mentoring program that pairs new principals with experienced principals who provide guidance and support. Administrative interns are also mentored in this program. The third tier of The Futures Project is the Leaders Developing Leaders Program which consists of the Administrators Leadership Conference, Principals’ Meetings, and the Evaluation Training.
Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
This project supports the Virginia Standards for Administrators and reflects the ISLLC Standards for excellence in leadership development.
Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will demonstrate the ability to implement school division policies and procedures to make appropriate decisions; thrive in a team-driven environment to address the individual school's needs; and utilize their skills and knowledge as necessary for success in school leadership positions.
Program Format
The Futures Project Advisory Committee helps guide the program format and assists with decisions related to expansion and future direction. The Futures Principals' Academy and LML seminars sessions are created for aspiring and current administrators by experienced central office and school-based administrators who demonstrate best practices in areas of high importance or impact. The result is interactive, highly informative, timely sessions that are practical and engaging. The Principals' Academy sessions are conducted by assistant superintendents, current principals, subject experts from central administration, and instructional specialists. Instructional strategies utilized include formal presentations, interactive discussions, scenario problem solving, reflective journaling, application of knowledge and skills, role playing and research activities. The Leaders Mentoring Leaders cohort provides opportunities for principal mentors and their protégé principals to participate in guided and focused conversations on relevant topics. The LML Conference sessions are conducted by departments within the central administration on pertinent issues and information for a beginning administrator.
Target Audience
This program is designed for groups and individuals identified through the school division. It may not be self-selected and used by individuals for self-study.
Self-Selection and/or Identification through School Division
See Target Audience (Above)
Duration of Program
The Futures Project has a number of programs that link together. The Principals' Academy is a year-long commitment and consists of a day-and-a-half induction session, three evenings and three days in the fall semester, and three evenings and three days in the spring semester. The Principals' Academy concludes with a formal graduation ceremony. The Leaders Mentoring Leaders Program consists of the LML conference a three-day conference and five two-hour professional development LML seminars conducted throughout the school year. Leaders Mentoring Leaders cohort consists of a three-hour formal introduction to mentoring for mentors and protégés and five subsequent sessions for 'Focused Conversation' on relevant topics.
Outcomes Measured
- The number of promotions to assistant principal and principal positions that are filled by academy versus non-academy participants
- The size of the pool of qualified internal applicants to consider for promotions
- The number of academy candidates short-listed for interviews for promotion
- Shortened learning curve for newly hired assistant principals and principals
- Impact of the mentoring program on performance
- Impact of the principals' academy on performance (2006)
Program Evaluation
The Futures Project is being evaluated in the following ways:
- Every module in the Futures Principals' Academy, LML Conference and Leaders Mentoring Leaders cohort programs are evaluated by participants in the following categories: content relevance, increase of understanding and knowledge of the subject, instructional strategies utilized/active and meaningful participation, quality of the presenter/materials and plans to use/implement after the session. Programmatic changes in content and delivery are made based on these evaluations.
- The Leaders Mentoring Leaders cohort is also evaluated on the value and substance of the mentoring experience by both mentors and protégés. A survey is conducted during the mentorship to allow mid-year adjustments. At the end of the mentorship, a summative evaluation is conducted. Third-party supervisors also complete a survey regarding the impact of the program on the participants.
- A formal evaluation to assess the impact of the Principals' Academy on the performance of participating administrators.
Contact Information
Olwen E. Herron
Director, Office of Organizational Development
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
757-263-1177
Olwen.Herron@vbschools.com
Sandra D. Adams, Ed.D.
Specialist for The Futures Project
Office of Organizational Development
Virginia Beach City Public Schools
757-263-1177
Sandy.Adams@vbschools.com