AED’s Middle School Leadership Project (MSLP) is a fully-funded USDOE School Leadership Program focused on developing and supporting leadership in Bronx middle grade schools. This comprehensive leadership development consists of two components: the Partners in Leadership Program, (providing professional development and middle grades expertise to participating principals and assistant principals) and the AED Leadership Fellows Program (preparing experienced assistant principals to become highly effective middle grades principals).

Partners in Leadership Program

Principals and at least one AP from partner schools refine their leadership skills and build expertise in educating adolescents by participating in:

• The Middle Start Study Institutes, which address the needs of high poverty, minority early adolescents and help partner schools develop the characteristics of high performing middle-grades schools including:
  • Academically challenging environments that support ALL learners.
  • Small learning communities informed by the needs of young adolescents.
  • Reflective review and self-assessment to ensure continuous improvement.
  • Collaborative leadership committed to family and community partnerships.

Principals and APs are also invited to choose from the following opportunities:

• Professional development institutes around NYC DOE School Leadership Competencies:
  • Accountability for Results
  • Academic Rigor in Middle Grades
  • Differentiation of Instruction and Supervision
  • Strategic Use of Resources

Professional development designed only for principals:

• Participate in a leadership institute with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL).

• An advanced coaching institute makes select principals eligible to serve as “principal mentors” and attend an institute at the Harvard Principals Center.

AED Leadership Fellows Program

This highly selective 18-month program prepares experienced assistant principals to make a successful transition to a middle grades principal position. APs accepted into the program participate in a rigorous, cohort-based program that includes the following components:

• Bi-monthly Evening Classes: One session per month expands Fellows’ leadership capacity, the other helps them develop the characteristics of high performing middle-grades school leaders who effectively improve performance of urban, high poverty, minority students (Middle Start). Classes are active, and include professional reading, presentations, and significant feedback.
• Required *In-School Experiences and Residency Projects *are aligned with the New York City Leadership Competencies and give Fellows an opportunity to practice their developing leadership skills and behaviors and middle grades expertise in their schools.
• *Multi-District Leadership Institute *at the Center for Creative Leadership designed to quickly focus Fellows on understanding and developing their own leadership styles and skills.
• Creation and presentation of a Leadership Portfolio aligned with the New York City School Leadership Competencies.
• Targeted special support, including preparation for the Principal Pool Selection Process and for Principal Interviews.