Our Mission
To improve student and school outcomes by building the capacity of education systems at the district and state levels to reimagine, develop, implement, and sustain the next generation of educators and leaders.
The Center’s mission is rooted in the belief that:
Districts are the most powerful lever for strengthening schools and school leaders.
Principals play a vital role in ensuring the success of their schools, impacting students, teachers, and communities.
Leader pipelines are a transformative framework for districts to think and act systematically to build coherence within their educational systems to reimagine, develop, and retain a high-quality educator workforce that ultimately improves student outcomes.
States are instrumental in both implementing state-level initiatives that strengthen educational leadership and creating favorable conditions for districts to develop their own leader pipelines.
Our Approach
Our Expertise
Pipeline Center staff are expert technical assistance providers and researchers with substantial experience in leadership development, school improvement, and education systems change. Staff include former educators and administrators at school, district, and state levels.
Experts from the Center and its parent organization, Policy Studies Associates, have conducted research on education workforce and school improvement efforts for a variety of clients over several decades. With support from The Wallace Foundation, we have conducted foundational research on the implementation and outcomes of principal pipelines and subsequently developed a suite of tools for districts to engage in pipeline self-study, pipeline resource allocation, assistant principal preparation and support, and pipeline sustainability for districts.
Center services are delivered by technical assistance and capacity building experts with experience working with state education agencies, regional service agencies, professional associations, and school districts in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Center staff have worked with client partners to develop pipeline systems and academies supporting a range of leaders including aspiring administrators, assistant principals, principals, principal supervisors, and aspiring and sitting superintendents.
Pipeline Center expertise is delivered through an approach rooted in customized service, partnership, systems change, and evidence. Center experts work with clients to ensure improvement efforts meet their unique needs and are sustainable.
