Effective school administrators for 21st century urban school districts surfaced as a high priority for the Urban Education Network of Iowa (UEN). Motivated by the results of recent research by the School Administrators of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Education, the UEN developed and initiated a leadership training model that could adequately respond to the predicted administrative shortfall. The Urban Leadership Development Academy then emerged as a partnership between the Urban Education Network of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Education to collaboratively prepare building principals for leadership in the UEN districts. This concept, though specifically designed to meet the needs
of Iowa's eight largest and urban school districts, can be customized and/or replicated to meet the specific needs of any kind or type of school district. The following information details the dynamics of this partnership.

To prepare effective school principals utilizing creative programming and innovative delivery systems through collaborative partnerships that enhance teaching and learning for all children and respond to the dynamics and complexities of the 21st Century urban school environment.

To integrate knowledge, dispositions, and performance through a technology driven delivery system enhanced by field-based practicum's aligned with Iowa Standards for School Leaders (ISSL).

• Facilitate the development, articulation, implementation and stewardship of beliefs/vision that all children will learn.
• Advocate, nurture, and sustain a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive, efficient, and effective learning organization through the management of the organization, operations, and resources.
• Involve families and community members, respond to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilize community resources to plan, deliver and support optimal learning for all.
• Act with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner ensuring an equitable learning environment.
• Understand, respond to, and actively influence the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural environments to maintain and strengthen public education.

Candidates: A maximum of 24 students from the eight (8) urban school districts of Iowa (UEN) who have met district standards and university entrance requirements.
Mentors: A maximum of 24 mentors from the UEN, one per student, who are successful practicing building principals as determined by each member district.

• Flexible and consumer-responsive to UEN school district needs
  
• Urban-focused content and learning activities
  
• 39 credit hour program - compacted and integrated
  
• Maximum use of emerging technology
  
• Use of cohort structure for development of a learning community utilizing technology to facilitate on-going dialogue between and among students
  
• Performance-based with an expanded practicum
  
• Coursework integrated with practicum
  
• Inclusion of best practices of leadership aligned with Iowa Standards
  
• Action research experiences utilizing the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP)
  
• Incorporation of case studies and real-life experiences
  
• Utilization of Mentor-Coaches
  
• Use of technology for dialogue between and among mentor-coaches
  
• Professional Portfolio aligned with Iowa Standards - Final Assessment to document achievement of program goals.

The Iowa Standards for School Leaders have been recognized and endorsed by both the Iowa State Board of Education Examiners and the Iowa State Board of Education. These standards will serve as the criterion of achievement and will be measured through comprehensive portfolio analysis, clinical observation and critique in the field.

The results of this unique consumer need driven program will be widely disseminated throughout the state, region, and nation through a working arrangement yet to be developed with the North Central Regional Education Laboratory, Naperville, Illinois. This pilot program will be easily transportable and can serve as a prototype to other school districts and universities in their efforts to strengthen building level leadership in their individual communities.