Washington, DC – District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) announced today that for the first time, it will offer three-year appointments to principals. This new policy will become effective during the 2015-2016 school year, and demonstrates Chancellor Kaya Henderson’s commitment to recognize and retain high-performing principals across the school district.
Three-year appointments will be offered to principals who have demonstrated strong results at their schools as measured through School Leader IMPACT, the DCPS evaluation system for principals. To be eligible, principals must have demonstrated sustained, high performance prior to the appointment. Principals who do not meet eligibility requirements will continue to receive one-year appointments, but can earn a three-year appointment by meeting the eligibility criteria during their tenure.
“I’m incredibly proud of the team of principals that lead our schools. We have one of the strongest principal corps in the country,” said Chancellor Henderson. “We know it takes a considerable amount of time and hard work to get to know the school community – its students, families, staff and culture – and to improve academic performance. A three-year appointment shows that we trust and value their leadership and ability to nurture a strong school community. I am excited to recognize our highest-performing principals with a deeper commitment to their continued success.”
Currently, 22 principals, or more than 20 percent of DCPS principals, will be offered a three-year appointment at the start of the 2015-2016 school year. As part of the agreement, principals must remain at the school they serve for three years. The terms of the appointment will be revisited if a principal’s performance falls below the required evaluation ratings.
“While one purpose of a three-year appointment is to demonstrate our trust in the excellent principals who serve our school communities, it also represents a commitment from our principals to DCPS,” said Chancellor Henderson said. “Accepting a three-year appointment affirms their commitment to us and their intent to continue leading their school for the next three school years.”
DCPS leveraged its School Leader IMPACT Task Force, comprised of principals, assistant principals and instructional superintendents, to define the terms, expectations and rules of the appointments. The Task Force also included input from the Council of School Officers, the union that represents principals.