Invest in Leadership: Five Actions District Leaders Can Take to Increase School Leader Diversity. Closing the Representation Gap: A Series of Papers on Reshaping Educational Leadership for the Future

Research reveals better school and student outcomes, especially for teachers and children of color, when a principal of color is at the helm. One way to improve the educational experiences of schoolchildren across the country is to increase their access to leaders of color--and strengthen the caliber of teaching and leading in our nation's schools. Yet, despite the fact that diversity among our nation's students is growing, diversity among teachers, principals, and district leaders continues to lag. This is known as the representation gap. Strategic investments are needed to develop the next generation of school leaders who better reflect the communities they serve. A recent survey of district leaders conducted by New Leaders suggests a disconnect between intention and actions taken to advance diversity. The majority of respondents state that their district is committed to improving the diversity of its leaders, but an almost equal number report that there is no clear leadership path for educators of color within their district. Building a diverse pipeline of school leaders who are well prepared and supported enables districts to retain the kind of talent that ensures all students thrive. This paper examines five actions school districts can take to shape the future of educational leadership in their district. [For the executive summary of this series, "Closing the Representation Gap: A Series of Papers on Reshaping Educational Leadership for the Future," see ED625674.]