Balanced Leadership®

Balanced Leadership® is a professional development program for current and aspiring school leaders (principals, assistant principals, teacher leaders, and others responsible for school-level leadership) in schools serving kindergarten through grade 12. The program focuses on 21 specific actions and behaviors of school leaders that may be associated with improved student outcomes, including designing and implementing school curriculum, instruction, and assessment; fostering shared beliefs and community; and monitoring teaching and student learning. School leaders participate in professional development sessions with trained facilitators (McREL instructional specialists) over one or two years using a case study approach, practice what they learn between sessions, and can receive additional one-on-one coaching and online support. The program is customizable in terms of number of sessions. Sessions are offered in-person at a location the school district provides or in a central location if multiple districts are participating together (consortium model). In the first year, participants attend one to four two-day sessions covering program overview and the 21 actions/behaviors. In the second year (if applicable), participants attend two to six two-day sessions focusing on extending and refining first-year topics through group discussions, case studies, and action plans. Participants receive activity guides, manuals, and access to online resources. McREL provides facilitators who must complete practice training sessions with experienced facilitators before leading sessions in the field.