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Association of Washington School Principals
Washington Principal | Volume 2– 2022-23
News Briefs
Meet Next Level Leaders: Washington State’s Premiere Leadership Development Academy
AWSP and WASA are thrilled to announce the launch of Next Level Leaders, Washington State’s Premiere Leadership Development Academy. How did Next Level Leaders come about? In March 2020, educational leaders across Washington entered a new dawn of leadership. In this era, leaders must quickly adapt how schools operate, communicate in a timely and transparent manner, unify stakeholders, build a culture of inclusion and belonging, and nurture the talents of the students and the staff we serve. The landscape of school leadership has shifted. Next Level Leaders is a response to that shift.
Next Level Leaders desires to assemble a cohort of 200 building and district leaders representing each region in our state. We are seeking teams and individuals from small, medium, and large districts. We are now accepting applications from school and district leaders who are members of AWSP or WASA and have been an educational leader for a minimum of three years. Please fill out the application to express your interest in the program. Note: completing this form does not constitute acceptance in the program. AWSP and WASA prioritize participation from all ESD partners. After program approval, participants will be invited to join with a registration link. Learn more and apply today.
Are You Using The Main Idea? (It’s a Member Benefit!)
The Main Idea is an educational book review summary from Jenn David-Lang, and it is a free benefit included with your AWSP membership.
Jenn David-Lang founded The Main Idea in the spring of 2007 because she witnessed too many school leaders who were so busy with the day to day responsibilities of running their schools and organizations, that they had no time for their own professional development. Through The Main Idea, education leaders have ready access to the most current and powerful ideas in education to help them serve as strong instructional leaders.
The Main Idea believes school leadership is most successful when it is focused on instruction and learning. For this reason, we choose books that help school leaders develop a strong repertoire of effective ideas and practices to help teachers improve student achievement. Access The Main Idea today.
Psst! Jenn is offering a free one-hour workshop on July 12 at noon EST called “Leaders Must Keep Up Their Learning: This is How!” This workshop is for anyone who has ever struggled to keep up their professional reading. She will share some very practical hacks. Interested? Sign up here.
Leaders of Color: Thanks for a Great Year!
The 2022-23 school year saw the launch of AWSP’s Leaders of Color Network (LOCNET). Two events were hosted specifically for leaders of color: A fall WOW Gallery event in Seattle, and an evaluation-themed spring workshop in Renton.
Watch for more Leaders of Color Network events coming soon. Want to get involved? Contact AWSP Associate Director Kamrica Ary-Turner.
Renew Your Clock Hour Certificate by July 1, 2023
This is a reminder that the clock hour certificate renewal deadline is quickly approaching on July 1, 2023. As the deadline approaches, OSPI's certification office can experience severe backlogs and delays. If you have enough clock hours, renew right away; don't put your certificate at risk.
Are You Moving Districts Next Year?
If so, email Macy AND make sure your new district is committed to paying your AWSP membership dues, which include national membership and legal protection. Questions? Email AWSP’s Macy Bruhy.
Save the Date for AWSL’s Annual High School Fall Leadership Conferences!
Western Washington and one in Eastern Washington. Both will take place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
- The Eastern Washington Conference will be at Wenatchee High School on Saturday, Oct. 28.
- The Western Washington Conference will be at Washington High School on Saturday, Nov. 4.
WAC Change Effective Aug. 1: Timeline for Principal/Assistant Principal Evaluations and Summative Conferences
A recent rule change impacting the timeline for principal/assistant principal evaluations and summative conferences was filed and posted January 24th, 2023. Effective Aug. 1, 2023, evaluations and summative conferences for principals and assistant principals shall be conducted by the evaluator prior to June 1 of the school year of which the evaluation is made. The timeline applies to both focused and comprehensive evaluations for principals and assistant principals and is intended to ensure that principals and assistant principals receive timely feedback as well as indications of their employment status. Rule changes were made in collaboration with the Teacher and Principal Evaluation Program (TPEP) Steering Committee*, to support growth and development for all principals and assistant principals by requiring evaluations and summative conferences occur in a manner and timeline that allows a principal/assistant principal to improve their practice or to seek another position.
*The TPEP Steering Committee includes the following: Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), Washington Education Association (WEA), Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA), and Washington State Parent Teacher Association (WSPTA), as well as OSPI.
This official rule change will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2023, and will impact principal and assistant principal evaluation timelines for the 2023-24 school year. Please reach out to OSPI with any questions you might have at tpep@k12.wa.us.
Save the Date for Our 2023 Principals’ Fall Forum | Nov. 14
This year’s principals’ forums were a huge success! If you missed out, don’t worry. We’re bringing back our seasonal principals’ forums for the 2023-24 school year. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 4-5 p.m. Your voice is critical to helping us plan our professional development and direct our advocacy efforts.