College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) and Western Kentucky University (WKU) are proud to announce the launch of "Project Elevate," a pioneering initiative designed to transform principal preparation and address the critical shortage of certified educators in Kentucky. This announcement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between FCPS and WKU, building upon the success of their Grow Your Own partnerships. 

Project Elevate, made possible by a $1.3 million grant from the Department of Labor, is one of the first programs of its kind. It introduces a residency-type pathway for aspiring principals, providing a context-ready system that allows them to develop leadership skills under the mentorship of experienced school leaders. This initiative is particularly valuable for districts that lack the funding or capacity to implement traditional residency programs. By immersing principal apprentices in the daily operations of school administration, Project Elevate ensures that future school leaders are well-prepared and "Day One ready." 

Traditional principal preparation models often leave a "preparation gap," where candidates may lack robust, real-world experiences. Project Elevate addresses this gap by providing continuous, hands-on learning opportunities, reducing the risk of underprepared leadership in schools. The program’s innovative approach allows schools to maintain strong leadership while nurturing the next generation of principals, creating a win-win scenario for both educators and students. 

Project Elevate is a natural extension of the principal preparation redesign initiated by WKU's Educational Administration program, supported by a $6 million grant from the Wallace Foundation's University Principal Preparation Initiative. This initiative has successfully created university-district partnerships, developed flexible curricula to address equity-in-context, and established a pipeline of well-prepared principal candidates. The collaboration between WKU and FCPS has already yielded significant results, with over 100 FCPS employees earning teaching certifications and rank changes through the Grow Your Own programs. 

The success of these initiatives would not be possible without the dedication and leadership of key WKU faculty members: 

The education sector faces significant challenges, with fewer individuals entering the teaching profession and even fewer pursuing principalship. Programs like Grow Your Own Leaders, Project Elevate, and registered principal apprenticeships provide targeted solutions to these challenges by reducing barriers such as cost, travel, and time, which often deter potential candidates from furthering their education and certifications. 

As WKU and FCPS continue to grow and learn through these innovative programs, they will gather valuable insights that will benefit not only apprenticeship participants but also those engaged in other modes of educational preparation. The goal is to enhance both teacher and principal retention, leading to higher student achievement across the board. 

The collaboration between WKU and FCPS is truly groundbreaking, and both institutions are committed to the continued success of these initiatives over the next four years. With the strong foundation already established, the future of education in Kentucky looks brighter than ever. 

For more information, please call 270-745-4890.