Examining a University-Multiple District Sponsored Academy from the Perspective of Principal Supervisors

Many universities partner with school districts in providing professional development for school leaders through a principal’s academy. Since 2002, Brigham Young University and five local districts, representing approximately one-third of all of the students in the state of Utah, have sponsored the BYU Principals Academy to meet the professional development needs throughout the five-district area.

While previous research has focused on understanding the experiences and perceptions of academy participants, this qualitative study explored the views of participants’ district supervisors, collected during a focus group experience. Participants were asked how the academy had impacted the district, how it could better meet districts’ needs, how the university and districts could more effectively partner, and how its effectiveness could be accurately evaluated. Findings indicated the need for more intentional partnering between the university and districts: with recommendations to sharpen and clarify the program focus, co-create desired learning outcomes, and strengthen university-district communication.