Middle-Grades Leadership Development (MLD) Project
About the Intervention
The Middle-Grades Leadership Development (MLD) Project is a comprehensive school improvement initiative designed to develop principal leaders and leadership teams who create high-performing middle-grades schools. The project targets middle schools (grades 6-8) serving high-need student populations with suppressed achievement test scores. The intervention uses an extensive set of supports including: creating a vision using the Schools to Watch (STW) criteria; engaging in an assessment and planning process for improvement; STW leadership coach; principal mentor; STW mentor schools; leadership team development; networking opportunities; and focused professional development. Implementation occurs over three years with intensive coaching support, professional development sessions, and school visits. The project requires establishment of a leadership team (minimum 6 members including principal, district administrator, and teacher leaders) that meets regularly to examine data, develop action plans, and drive school improvement efforts. Teachers and principals participate in professional development focused on leadership, collaboration, and STW criteria implementation.
Statistical Findings
Positive effect: on principal leadership effectiveness
Positive effect: on STW Rubric implementation
Positive effect: on collaboration practices
Positive effect: on teacher efficacy
Positive effect: on middle-grades instructional practices
No effect: on 8th grade ELA/reading achievement
No effect: on 8th grade math achievement
More Intervention Details
Focus Areas
Economically DisadvantagedPrograms & Services
General EducationDelivery Methods
Face-to-FaceDisability Support
N/ATarget Groups
Teachers/Instructional Teams, Schoolwide PolicyCitation
Begum, S., Carpenter, D. M. H. & Flowers, N. (2018). Middle-Grades Leadership Development (MLD) Project: A U.S. Department of Education Investing in Innovation (i3) Development Grant Final Evaluation Report (ED589571). ERIC. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED589571.pdf.
Study Demographics
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Other Participant Characteristics
Geographical Setting
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