Stronger States, Stronger Outcomes

Strengthening Leader Effectiveness and Teacher Retention in Mississippi
Teacher retention is closely tied to the quality of school leadership and the systems that prepare, develop, and support administrators. Mississippi will share how the Mississippi LEADS initiative is building a leadership development continuum from teacher to superintendent. With support from the Gulf Comprehensive Center, the state has reduced its principal standards from 19 to 9 evidence-based standards, revised the Administrator Growth Rubric guidance and training, aligned leader preparation assessments, and reviewed its principal induction program. The work also brings together higher education, districts, and schools to strengthen coherence across the educator continuum. Participants will learn how Mississippi is using technical assistance and cross-sector partnerships to improve administrator effectiveness, strengthen teaching conditions, and support teacher retention.