UCLA Women's School Leadership Academy (WSLA)*

The number of women school leaders has remained static. They comprise 27% of the school superintendents and 23% to 26% of the heads of independent schools. Although women’s share of doctorates awarded in education grew to 70% in 2016, women continue to be underrepresented in top educational leadership positions. Existing programs have done little to change this.

Educators participate in WSLA to strengthen their leadership skills and to expand their confidence in their own leadership. They want to enlarge their ability to lead in times of calm and in times of crisis and to increase excellence in school leadership. These educators want to increase their value to their schools and districts. They want to collaborate on solving problems and on reducing inequities in their own schools and districts. Small mentoring circles enable participants to discuss and brainstorm issues in their organizations and on their leadership objectives. Some educators do WSLA to understand and prepare for new career options while others want to extend their own leadership in their current positions.

WSLA participants learn from each other and from instructors or facilitators who are leaders in varied areas of K - 12 education. Program methods include writing activities, case studies, coaching sessions, readings and individual practice in facilitating a meeting, promoting equity and excellence and interviewing others.

UCLA WSLA emphasizes women helping other women to build their leadership capacity and expand leadership roles for women in K - 12 organizations.