Alaska

Rural Alaska Principal Preparation and Support Program

Schools in rural districts face unique challenges—particularly if they are reachable only by airplane, snowmobile, or small boat. Measured Progress joins several partners in a federally funded, Alaska-based program aimed to improve principal leadership in 141 of the most remote schools in the country.

Under a five-year United States Department of Education grant, the Rural Alaska Principal Preparation and Support (RAPPS) Program brings comprehensive professional development to principals enrolled in university programs, new to working in Alaska, or serving in schools in need of improvement or in corrective action status.

In concert with the Alaska Administrative Coaching Program; the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development; the Alaska Staff Development Network; the University of Alaska, Anchorage; and other partners—Measured Progress professional development specialists collaborate with the project director to develop and present institutes, engage in principal coaching, and teach distance learning Webinars focused on the principal's role in assessment.

We provide direct training to help principals:

  • better understand the different types of assessment, the purposes of each, and how each fits into a comprehensive assessment system,
  • recognize key elements of effective classroom assessment practices through classroom observation; and
  • translate assessment data into information that can be used to improve teaching and learning.

While Measured Progress professional development programs each have different long- and short-term goals, each strives to improve teaching and learning. We work to guide states in building sustainable, scalable models that can be driven and applied by local educators.