Research shows school leadership is a pivotal factor in improving student achievement and retaining quality teachers. In fact, among school-related factors, leadership is found to have one of the greatest impacts on student learning — second only to classroom instruction. However, many districts are challenged by high rates of turnover, resulting in shortages and inexperienced principals leading high-need schools. As states look at ways to support schools and districts, many turn to policies surrounding preparation and licensure in an effort to better equip leaders entering the field to be successful. States have developed policies, grounded in school leadership standards, to strengthen and increase the number of quality school leaders through traditional and alternative routes to preparation and certification.

Education Commission of the States has researched school leader certification and preparation policies in all 50 states to provide this comprehensive resource. You are able to click on the questions from the 50-State Comparisons, showing how all states approach specific policies, or view a specific state’s approach by going to the individual state profiles page.