Providing an in-depth look at the processes, pitfalls, and successes that can emerge from major education reform efforts at the state level, this volume covers the full policy change cycle in the development and transformation of the Illinois principal preparation program. Offering perspectives from the major stakeholder groups involved in transforming Illinois principal preparation—school districts, universities, state education agencies, teachers unions, and professional associations—this book documents the three distict policy stages: policy formation, implementation, and improvement. As a national award-winning leader in principal preparation policy and practice, Illinois serves as a model for effective policy reform. Grounded in a strong theoretical framework, this volume provides candid observations and lessons learned for researhers, scholars, and policymakers.

Erika Hunt is Senior Researcher and Policy Analyst for the Center for the Study of Education Policy at Illinois State University, USA. Alicia Haller is Project Director at the DuPage Regional Office of Education, USA. Lisa Hood is Senior Researcher and Policy Analyst for the Center for the Study of Educational Policy at Illinois State University, USA. Maureen Kincaid is Professor of Education at North Central College, USA.