Department partners with Turner School District, offers Leadership Academy to local educators


LAWRENCE – The Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at the University of Kansas has partnered with Turner Unified School District 202 this year to provide local educators with a customized leadership development experience.

The Turner USD Leadership Academy was created in partnership with the faculty from the educational administration program at KU. It’s based on the primary goal of identifying and developing current and future building- and district-level administrators in the region. The Academy includes one (or two) phases, depending on the goal of the individual participant.

“It’s been a rewarding opportunity to partner with Turner School District in a ‘grow your own’ leadership program,” said Joseph Novak, educational administration program coordinator in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. “Dr. Dandoy and other district leaders have been involved using a co-teaching approach.”

Phase I began in fall 2016 and allows selected individuals to enroll in and complete ELPS 750: The Principalship over the course of an entire academic year. Turner USD accepted seven candidates for Phase I. Preference for admission to Phase 1 was given to Turner School District teachers who have:

  • At least three years of successful teaching experience;
  • An understanding of the process of school improvement and a commitment to lifelong learning;
  • A demonstrated knowledge of good instruction and willingness to apply research to practice;
  • Demonstrated potential as an educational leader and service to the district; and
  • A dedicated intention to participate in the requirements of the program.

“In support of this partnership, Turner School District has dedicated a limited amount of funding to cover the cost of tuition for our participants’ first three credit hours in the Leadership Academy,” said Jason Dandoy, superintendent of Turner Unified School District #202. “Our goal with this partnership is to identify our future leaders and then team together with the educational leadership program at KU to prepare them for the ‘Turner’ approach.”

Phase II of the Academy will allow participants to continue coursework in pursuit of the master’s degree in educational administration at the University of Kansas. Novak and Dandoy anticipate all seven candidates to progress to Phase II of the Academy.

“A ‘grow your own’ approach is an effective way in which districts can identify potential future leaders and blend the nationally recognized educational administration program from KU with their strategic plans and visions for their school districts,” Novak said. “We would welcome the opportunity to support other districts as well.”

The master’s degree program consists of 36 credit hours of coursework, including an extensive field-based practicum and a comprehensive exam – all of which can be completed within two years. The cohort-model master’s degree program is offered in a blended (on-campus mixed with online class meetings) delivery format, fulfills the academic requirements necessary for state licensure at the building level. It is designed to accommodate the schedules of working educators.

Applications for the master’s degree in educational administration are due April 1 annually. More information on the graduate program can be found here.

The Department of Educational Leadership & Policy Studies is housed in the KU School of Education, a nationally ranked school preparing educators as leaders.

Tue, 03/28/2017

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Janelle Laudick

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Janelle Laudick

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