The Bridge District Learning Network

About the Bridge Project

The Bridge Project is a comprehensive professional learning program for Illinois central office teams offered at no cost to school districts by the Illinois ROE Lead Hubs and WestEd with funding from the U.S. Department of Education.  The Bridge District Learning Network works with superintendents and their teams to improve principal workforce diversity and retention.

Why Participate?

Superintendents and their leadership teams play a powerful role in recruiting, developing, and retaining the principals in their districts.  By participating in the Bridge District Learning Network, superintendents and key team members will improve policies, programs, and practices to:

• attract, support, and retain the next generation of women principals and principals of color
• network with other central office teams to grow and retain excellent school principals

To Learn More

• register for an Information Session at bit.ly/bridgedistrictlearningnetwork
• review the Frequently Asked Questions document at bit.ly/bridgedistrictfaq
• email thebridgeproject@wested.org

Program Structure

As part of the Bridge District Learning Network, participating superintendents and their teams will take a self-assessment allowing them toe reflect on their internal practices that impact principal hiring, principal retention, and principal effectiveness.  Districts will be matched with experienced leadership coaches who are former district administrators.  They will lead them through monthly coaching and bi-monthly professional development, tailored to address the practices uncovered through their self-assessment.

Superintendents will engage in 60-minutes of tailored coaching monthly.  With their district teams, they will also engage in two in-person institutes with other central office teams and five 2-hour professional development sessions focused on key levers to advance principal hiring, principal retention, and principal effectiveness through and equity lens.  These include:

• Teaching and Learning
• Leadership Pathways
• Selection and Hiring
• School Leader Induction
• Principal Supervision
• Operational Excellence

Who Can Participate?

Superintendents and key team members interested in improving their district’s principal pipeline while also supporting the career growth of women and/or educators of color who aspire to become principals in their districts.

When Does the Program Take Place?

The program with will from June 2024 through June 2025