Creating a New System for Principal Preparation: Reflections on Efforts to Transcend Tradition and Create New Cultures

Abstract

When selected as a pilot redesign site, we decided to both refocus the underlying assumptions guiding our program and to engage in processes allowing us to model best practices while creating a new program. This article summarizes key aspects of our redesign work and offers reflections on the processes used and challenges faced. Murphy's (2006) guiding principles for “fostering the reculturing of preparation programs” serves as our point of reference for conducting this programmatic critique, examining where we were, where we are now, and where we are headed.