and Conventional Leadership Preparation Programs for Principals

Purpose: This study attempted to determine the influence of exemplary leadership preparation on what principals learn about leadership, their use of effective leadership practices, and how their practices influence school improvement and the school’s learning climate. The authors also investigated how the frequency of effective leadership practices related to the strength of district support and the extent of school problems and student pover-ty. Finally, the authors examined the contribution of exemplary leadership preparation to variations in school improvement progress and school ef-fectiveness climate. Research Design: The study, using survey research con-ducted in 2005, compared 65 principals who had graduated from one of four selected exemplary leadership preparation programs to a national sample o