Principal Implementation Networks: Leveraging the Power of Collaboration

Abstract

As a leader in the College and Career space, AVID reaches more than 2 million students nationwide by supporting schools and districts in removing barriers to student success. With more than 7000 principals striving to integrate the AVID College and Career Readiness Framework into their school’s systems, it makes sense for them to collaborate to develop collective knowledge and improve impact. In July of 2020, I began my residency with AVID Center during a global COVID- 19 pandemic. Despite this challenging context, I aspired to create principals' implementation networks at new AVID sites. The goal was to determine if a cohort of new principals with support from veteran AVID principals could collaborate and share knowledge to accelerate the successful integration of AVID systems at their schools. I modeled the New Site Principal Network loosely after knowledge networks, and I relied on the ongoing support of the Professional Learning and Leadership team and Leadership Steering Committee. Using Design Thinking to empathize with principal needs, I created a product that provided principals value. It justified the time commitment and elevated another option for how AVID can support its partners with integrating AVID systems at their school. Despite some success, the project also demonstrated how difficult change could be, especially during times of uncertainty. It also left some unanswered questions about the viability of this network model. For example, will principals commit to long-term collaboration? This capstone documents what I learned during the design and early implementation phase of this project.