Volume 6, Number 1 (January - March 2011)
Internship programs too often do not provide the types of experiences that effectively bridge the gap between theory and practice and prepare school leaders who are capable of leading and transforming schools. To help address this problem, the current study is directed at providing insight into practicing principals’ views of the types of experiences and activities that future educational leaders should have in their preparation. Open, semi-structured interviews were conducted to reveal the perspectives of the practicing principals. From the perspectives of sitting principals, the study found that aspiring principals are not as well prepared as they need to be, and can be, to assume the challenging tasks of leading school improvement efforts. Practicing principals presented recommendations regarding the types of experiences and activities that should be included in the internship to adequately prepare future administrators. Their recommendations include opportunities to lead change initiatives, opportunities to build relationships with staff and data support of school improvement activities. FULL MANUSCRIPT AVAILABLE AT: http://cnx.org/content/m36680/latest/