California Rural Superintendent/Principal's Academy
Collaborate | Innovate | Grow
Program overview
The California Rural Superintendent-Principal’s Academy (CRSPA) is a statewide opportunity designed especially for those in the unique, combined administrative role of Superintendent-Principal (SP). This academy guides participants to engage in authentic dialogue, inquiry, and networking, in order to build capacity as rural leaders.
The need for SP support is widespread. In California’s smallest, most remote and rural schools Superintendent/Principals serve an essential function in their communities.
This is a comprehensive one-year professional learning program focusing on topics as diverse as working with school board members to school/district finance, to Special Education. Participants will gain skills and foster community through face-to-face meetings, online (synchronous and asynchronous) collaboration, and coaching/mentoring. It all kicks off with a two-day intensive Summer Leadership Institute in August 2019 that will lay the foundation for a productive year of growth and inspiration.
43% of the nation’s public schools are in rural communities and nearly one-third of America’s school-aged children attend public schools in these communities.
United States Department of Education (2003)
California has over 250 Superintendent/Principals and job turnover is high.
Small School District Association (2017)
A 2010 study of 90 Superintendent/Principals in Northern California revealed that over 54% had 5 or fewer years of service.
Geivett II, J.M. (2010)
Effective leadership of rural school districts can be very complex and challenging.
Canales, M. T., Tejeda-Delgado, C., & Slate, J. R. (2008)
Join us for Cohort 1 and the Summer Leadership Institute in Humboldt County
Apply for 2019-2020 (Cohort 2)
Important Dates
Rolling admission for 2019/2020
Initial selection/notification of CRSPA participants May 10, 2019
CRSPA Orientation via Zoom May 20, 2019
Summer Leadership Institute for Cohort 2, Aug. 1-2, 2019
Monthly gatherings Sep.14 2019-Jun., 2020
Final gathering in Eureka CA June 15-16, 2020
Timeline of Activities and Topics 2019-2020 (Cohort 2)
Monthly Activities
Summer Leadership Institute
Location TBA August 1-2, 2019
Monthly Zoom Hour
September date TBA
Board Governance/Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
October 11-12, 2019 9:00-3:30 Location TBA
Monthly Zoom Hour
November date TBA
Student & Teacher Recruitment and Retention/Managing School District Finances
December 6-7, 2019 9:00-3:30 Location TBA
Monthly Zoom Hour
January date TBA
Special Education Legal Issues/MTSS: Student Success in Rural and Remote Settings
February 7-8, 2020 9:00-3:30 Location TBA
Monthly Zoom Hour
March date TBA
Attendance at Annual Small School Districts’ Association Conference
(CRSPA Cohort mtg. at Conference location) Personnel Management/Writing an Effective LCAP
date TBA
Monthly Zoom Hour
May date TBA
Instructional Leadership/Community & Civic Leadership/Parent Engagement
June 15-16, 2020 8:30-3:30 HCOE, Eureka CA
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