Current empirical research and workforce data show a significant principal shortage in the U.S. and other countries. This issue is exacerbated by high turnover rates and barriers to entry that limit equitable access for individuals from underserved and underrepresented populations. In response to this need, Western Kentucky University (WKU) is pioneering the first Principal Registered Apprenticeship Program in Kentucky and the second of its kind in the United States. WKU’s prior work on principal preparation and program redesign was guided by the Wallace Foundation’s research and participation in the University Principal Preparation Initiative, which concluded in 2021. This endeavor aims to evolve WKU’s Educational Administration curriculum to create a more personalized learning plan tailored to individual needs and local contexts, thereby establishing an alternate route to the K-12 Principal Certification. This innovative program offers a practical framework for addressing the principal shortage, fostering diversity, and supporting a sustainable educational leadership pipeline.

Author: Laura Hudson

Published in: London International Conference on Education (LICE-2024)

• Date of Conference: 4-6 November 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/LICE.2024.0009
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-74-7
• Conference Location: St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK