Best Practices in Principal Professional Development

This qualitative study examines principals’ perceptions of effective principal professional development programs and needs. Results from this research study are valuable because they can provide impactful insights for state departments of education, district leadership, and principals in the planning, development, and administration of principal professional development programs. Specifically, the research study focuses upon two overarching research questions. First, how do principals and district instructional leaders describe effective principal professional development? Second, how do principals and district instructional leaders describe current and future principal professional development needs? Findings support a community of practice as a vital tool for principal development.