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Growing Leaders through a Powerful Partnership

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Title: Growing Leaders through a Powerful Partnership
Language: English
Authors: Ben White, Brenda Mendiola, Yvette Bynum, William Bergeron
Source: Alabama Journal of Educational Leadership. 2025 12:64-73.
Availability: Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Administration. P.O. Box 8368, Dothan, AL 36304. Tel: 334-983-6556 ext. 1-350; Fax: 334-556-1053; Web site: https://www.icpel.org/state-affiliate-journals.html
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: College School Cooperation, Partnerships in Education, Principals, Instructional Leadership, Communities of Practice, Program Evaluation, Program Improvement, Career Pathways, Assistant Principals, Research Universities, Elementary Secondary Education, Leadership Training, Administrator Education
Geographic Terms: Alabama
ISSN: 2473-8115
Abstract: This study evaluates an enduring university-school district partnership, the Future Instructional Leader Academy (FILA), through the Learning Partnership Communities of Practice (LPCP) model. Initiated in 2017 by an innovative superintendent, FILA was designed to cultivate growth among aspiring leaders, ensuring a robust principal pipeline. This proactive approach to navigating challenges in leadership succession and retention highlights the critical role of strong university-district collaboration. This paper examines how FILA reflects the LPCP model's essential components: relational factors, operational processes, and organizational structures. Findings reveal robust relational factors, including deep trust and open communication between the university and district, which proved pivotal in navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong operational measures, such as dedicated personnel and strategic resource allocation, have sustained the initiative. While excelling in relational and operational aspects, the partnership demonstrated growth potential. Formalizing structures like a Memorandum of Understanding and creating an advisory council are two opportunities for growth. This reflection underscores how even successful collaborations can continuously evolve and strengthen to ensure long-term sustainability beyond current leadership. The FILA partnership serves as a compelling example of a transformative collaboration, demonstrating mutual benefits for both entities--equipping K-12 systems with highly prepared leaders and enriching university programs with real-world insights, ultimately cultivating systemic growth in leadership and educational outcomes. This research offers valuable insights for others seeking to establish resilient and impactful K-12 university partnerships.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1493259
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  Data: Growing Leaders through a Powerful Partnership
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Alabama+Journal+of+Educational+Leadership%22"><i>Alabama Journal of Educational Leadership</i></searchLink>. 2025 12:64-73.
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  Data: Alabama Association of Professors of Educational Administration. P.O. Box 8368, Dothan, AL 36304. Tel: 334-983-6556 ext. 1-350; Fax: 334-556-1053; Web site: https://www.icpel.org/state-affiliate-journals.html
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Alabama%22">Alabama</searchLink>
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  Data: 2473-8115
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  Data: This study evaluates an enduring university-school district partnership, the Future Instructional Leader Academy (FILA), through the Learning Partnership Communities of Practice (LPCP) model. Initiated in 2017 by an innovative superintendent, FILA was designed to cultivate growth among aspiring leaders, ensuring a robust principal pipeline. This proactive approach to navigating challenges in leadership succession and retention highlights the critical role of strong university-district collaboration. This paper examines how FILA reflects the LPCP model's essential components: relational factors, operational processes, and organizational structures. Findings reveal robust relational factors, including deep trust and open communication between the university and district, which proved pivotal in navigating the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong operational measures, such as dedicated personnel and strategic resource allocation, have sustained the initiative. While excelling in relational and operational aspects, the partnership demonstrated growth potential. Formalizing structures like a Memorandum of Understanding and creating an advisory council are two opportunities for growth. This reflection underscores how even successful collaborations can continuously evolve and strengthen to ensure long-term sustainability beyond current leadership. The FILA partnership serves as a compelling example of a transformative collaboration, demonstrating mutual benefits for both entities--equipping K-12 systems with highly prepared leaders and enriching university programs with real-world insights, ultimately cultivating systemic growth in leadership and educational outcomes. This research offers valuable insights for others seeking to establish resilient and impactful K-12 university partnerships.
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  Data: EJ1493259
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 64
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: College School Cooperation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Partnerships in Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Principals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Instructional Leadership
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communities of Practice
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Evaluation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program Improvement
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Career Pathways
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Assistant Principals
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research Universities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Leadership Training
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Administrator Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Alabama
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Growing Leaders through a Powerful Partnership
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            NameFull: William Bergeron
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              Y: 2025
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