SLN Receives Grant from MetLife Foundation to Support Professional Development for Principals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2009—<Hinsdale, Massachusetts>—School Leaders Network (SLN) has announced a grant from MetLife Foundation to facilitate professional development for school principals. The funds will help SLN sustain and expand its model of local clusters of principals and provide strategic training and technical support for its network of expert facilitators.

“This funding acknowledges the value of local principal-to-principal professional development,” said Elizabeth Neale, Chief Executive Officer for School Leaders Network. “The grant enables SLN to enhance its distinctive work by building greater capacity for strengthening school leadership.”

School Leaders Network was established in 2006, as a means to accelerate the learning of principals in their efforts to improve student achievement. At SLN, local learning communities across the country, guided by SLN trained facilitators, coach each other on the technical and adaptive challenges of leadership to enhance student learning and the conditions in which they occur.

“Urban school principals often feel professionally isolated,” said Dennis White, President of MetLife Foundation, “School Leaders Network has demonstrated an effective method for helping principals support each other to become more effective leaders. We are pleased to help it sustain and expand its reach.”

The challenge to improve student achievement is particularly significant for leaders of urban schools. According to the recent MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: Past, Present, and Future far more urban school principals (67%) reported that a quarter or more of their students come to school not fully prepared to learn at their grade level than do suburban (23%) and rural (38%) counterparts. Those figures include 30% of urban principals who report all or most of their students are unprepared, in contrast to suburban (10%) and rural (11%) colleagues.

MetLife Foundation has long recognized the essential role principals play in turning effective classrooms into effective schools that meet the needs of all students. Over the years, MetLife Foundation support has included the development and recognition of successful principal leadership through the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, New Leaders for New Schools and the National Civic League. The Foundation also supports effective collaborative teamwork among principals and teachers through the National Staff Development Council, particularly around issues of student achievement through the College Summit and Education Trust.

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School Leaders Network (SLN) was established in 2006 to address the needs of principals to accelerate their learning in their efforts to increase student achievement. At SLN Learning communities, principals across the country, guided by SLN trained facilitators, coach each other on the technical and adaptive challenges of leadership to improve student learning and the conditions in which they occur. For more information visit www.connectleadsucceed.org.

MetLife Foundation supports education, health, civic and cultural organizations. It seeks to increase opportunities for young people to succeed, encourage leadership development for teachers and principals, and connect schools, families, colleges and communities. Its funding for education is informed by the annual MetLife Survey of the American Teacher. For more information visit www.metlife.org.