The Principals' Partnership
The Principals’ Partnership was created in 2001 based on national research showing that highly skilled principals are a critical factor in the success of high school students. However, Union Pacific discovered that despite the tremendous influence principals have on students, teachers, parents and communities, there were few, if any, leadership programs specifically targeted to high school principals.
Education professionals were enlisted by Union Pacific to design a unique principals’ program that would emphasize leadership development, encourage information sharing and promote innovative strategies to improve public education. The result was The Principals’ Partnership. Public High School Principals from states served by UP were invited to be a part of the program, and with their membership they receive year-round self-directed assistance from some of the nation’s top education professionals. Principals have access to a comprehensive Web site created to share best practices in education. The Web site is open to all educators, even if they’re not partners.
In addition, UP sponsors a Summer Leadership Institute, where principals come together to hear from nationally known speakers and, most important, to network with each other.
The Impact of The Principals’ Partnership on Education
Since its creation, The Principals’ Partnership has grown into a network of 1,000 public high school principals in 21 states. These principals interact each day with approximately 71,000 teachers and one million students.
The Principals’ Partnership members hail from both our nation’s largest cities and much smaller rural communities, and the results of their interactions have been dramatic. Principals throughout the country are now working together on key issues facing all public schools, such as scholastic audits, green schools and virtual schools.
A recent survey of principals in the program indicates that for the vast majority, the program has fostered at least one significant change in their schools as a direct result of being involved in The Principals’ Partnership.
The program has been recognized with awards from educational organizations in Utah, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Idaho, Arizona, California, Missouri, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Illinois.