The UCLA Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) trains and supports a diverse group of future school leaders who are dedicated to academic excellence, equity, and integrity as a way to maximize achievement and opportunity for students in urban schools. PLI offers an intensive 14-month program that meets California’s standards for school administrators (CAPEs). Participants earn a Master’s degree and complete the coursework needed for the California Administrative Services Preliminary Credential. The program is designed for outstanding educators who are interested in becoming school leaders, and the program is grounded in the Reciprocal Learning Partnership Equity Framework.
“The time I spent in PLI has profoundly changed the way I approach educational leadership. Before joining PLI, I had a heart for Social Justice, but I lacked the language, theoretical framework, and tools to be an effective catalyst for change. Now, I feel confident in my ability to identify inequitable practices in schools and have gained the courage to take action that will powerfully lead to positive student outcomes for all.”
– Andrew Kim
Congratulations to Kimberly Figueroa-Oliveira, PLI Cohort 20, for being named a Finalist for the LAUSD 2025 Assistant Principal of the Year! She is the Assistant Principal at Panorama High School.
The Assistant Principal of the Year Program honors assistant principals who excel in their dedication and support for the mission and vision of their school community.
Michelle Staine, a PLI Cohort 14 graduate, was recently featured in an article talking about her National Board Certification journey, supported by the the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. Motivated by her family and a desire to deepen her teaching practice, she focused on personalized, student-centered instruction, from English learners to students with special needs.
The 21st Century California School Leadership Academy (21CSLA) is a statewide collaboration to support principals, districts, and educational leaders in learning from divergent voices, guiding with equity. Through 21CSLA, Parachini and her colleagues across California aim to provide high quality, equity-centered professional learning for educational leaders of schools and districts in California that receive Title II funds.
