The Essential Role of Integrating Technology Content and Skills into University Principal Preparation Programs

"Just-in-time" delivery of goods and services was the call to action phrase of the 1990's, but in the 21st Century, just-in-time is too late. University leaders in principal preparation programs must not only respond to the call of the field, but also anticipate the needs even before school administrators recognize the content and skills necessary with which to lead. As building principals become increasingly accountable for integrating technology into instruction and infrastructure, principal preparation programs are more accountable to prepare principals to succeed in their leadership roles, acknowledge the impact of principals on student achievement and teacher performance, and accept our responsibility to reinvent preparation programs instead of just reforming them. Understanding the critical need for highly qualified administrators, today's preparation programs must contain essential technology content, be flexible and individualized, infused with real-world problem solving, based on current research, provide access through alternative delivery modes, and focus on state and national leadership standards. In the fall of 2004 the educational administration program faculty at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) embraced the call to action and began an extensive review of our principal preparation program. The resulting review of the literature and a program redesign sought to address me changing needs of prospective principals enrolled in our program. FHSU faculty considered the research that identified the principal as having an indirect positive impact on student learning through influencing the teacher (Quinn 2002). Faculty asked themselves what principals should know and be able to do in technology in light of the research that stated, "The teacher is a key variable in technology implementation and effectiveness. Technology's impact on teachers and their practice should be considered as important as student effects, for students move on, but teachers remain to influence many generations of students" (NCREL, p. 1). Although the redesign of the FHSU principal preparation program encompassed much more than technology, it was a key component of preparing our candidates adequately and helping them influence student achievement. This dedication to technology in the principal preparation program at FHSU is especially important when faculty considered the research finding of Kulik, Waxman, Connell, and Gray that identified technology, when used appropriately, as improving education in the effect-size range of between 0.30 and 0.40 (Valdez, 2004). The NCREL online document was a Critical Issue posting that was researched and written by Gilbert Valdez, Ph.D., senior advisor for technology and co-director of the North Central Eisenhower Mathematics and Science Consortium at Learning Point Associates. Research Questions In order to reinvent a program that reflected our program mission and core values of teaching and coaching ethical leaders of learning, the following research questions were asked: 1. How will we effectively teach and coach ethical leaders of learning so they are successful in leading, inspiring, and influencing students and teachers in the school? 2. What technology content and skills do our faculty and principal candidates need to know and be able to do, and how do we integrate die technology content and skills into the new program? This article examines current educational leadership literature, explains the methodology and model used to "reinvent" the FHSU Educational Administration program, and addresses the action steps taken to transform a traditional university program into a technology-rich principal preparation program, which helps new administrators better serve their teachers and students. Review of the Literature In reviewing current literature, the FHSU education administration faculty focused on connecting theory and action to transform a 30-year-old traditional principal preparation program. …