Principal Quality
Sen. Franken firmly believes that our schools need strong leaders for our kids to succeed. Research shows that school leadership is second only to teacher quality in its impact on student achievement. That's because principals don't just run the school building; they're the backbone of the school. Effective principals recruit and support great teachers and establish a school culture in which students can excel.
Understanding the importance of school leadership, Senator Franken and Senator Orrin Hatch, a Republican from Utah, introduced the School Principal Recruitment and Training Act. The bill would provide funding to training programs to recruit and prepare outstanding principals for high-need schools. It would invest in proven strategies for preparing these principals. For example, programs funded under the bill would offer aspiring principals training that combines coursework with hands-on experience through a year-long residency at a school under the wing of a mentor principal.
