PLI allowed me to engage in critical and collaborative conversations that examined the ways in which school cultures perpetuate practices that continue to marginalize students and reproduce inequitable outcomes. Through PLI, I gained the necessary tools to move forward as a social justice leader and lead with democratic approaches that involve multiple stakeholders and include the voices of those who have often gone ignored in the educational system. And to lead with culturally responsive approaches to create equitable practices and cultures where our students can thrive.”
UCLA’s Principal Leadership Institute program (PLI) prepares educators to be social justice leaders in Los Angeles schools who:
- Advocate for quality learning opportunities;
- Improve teaching and learning;
- Promote educational achievement for all students;
- Create democratic and culturally-responsive learning environments;
- Build partnerships with parents and community groups.
Through a 14-month program, the Principal Leadership Institute’s graduates become instructional leaders who understand what conditions are needed to promote rigorous, high quality learning. They become adult educators who support the development of teachers and staff, and they become community leaders who have the knowledge and commitment to forge partnerships with parents, grassroots community groups, civic leaders, and organized labor.
The PLI program starts during summer and continues through the next summer.
Students attend classes at UCLA while continuing to work with their schools and communities. Through coursework, students engage theory and recent research. Through field work in schools and communities, students grapple with critical questions of practice facing social justice educators.
The PLI program offers a tier-one administrative credential and a master’s degree in education.
We encourage applications from educators with:
- Five or more years experience as a classroom teacher;
- Experience working for educational justice with teachers;
- Experience working for change alongside parents and community groups;
- A commitment to Los Angeles youth and communities.
