The MLDS Impact

Evidence of Effectiveness

Enhancing Principal Retention

Principal retention is crucial for school stability and student success. Since its launch in 2016, MLDS has significantly improved retention rates among Missouri principals. Data shows that 94.8% of first-year MLDS principals remain in their roles annually, compared to 80% of non-participants. After three years, 88.3% of MLDS principals stay, versus only 64.8% of non-participants—a 23.5% difference. These numbers highlight the program’s effectiveness in strengthening leadership longevity.

Positive Outcomes for Students and Staff

MLDS doesn’t just keep principals in their roles—it transforms schools. Participants report notable improvements in school culture, teacher collaboration, and instructional practices. More than 90% of MLDS principals and nearly 80% of superintendents affirm that the program positively impacts student achievement, reinforcing its role in driving educational excellence.

A Testament to Effective Investment

MLDS is a powerful testament to the value of strategic leadership development. By equipping principals with the skills and support they need, the program not only enhances their professional growth but also creates a lasting ripple effect that benefits teachers, students, and entire school communities.

Annual Report of MLDS Participant Surveys

Each year, MLDS participants are surveyed to help us evaluate our own systems and practices. You can find our latest results here.

How Does MLDS Support Principals Differently From Other States?

The Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS) supports principals in several unique ways that set it apart from programs in other states:

Comprehensive, Career-Spanning Approach

MLDS provides tiered support for principals at all stages of their careers, from aspiring pre-service principals to veteran leaders. This comprehensive approach ensures continuous professional growth throughout a principal's career, rather than just focusing on new principals.

Statewide Consistency and Alignment

Designed to align with statewide leadership domains, continuing education, and evaluation systems, MLDS fosters a common leadership language and ensures uniform principal development across Missouri.

Multiple Support Modalities

Through training, mentoring, and networking, MLDS offers flexible, multi-faceted support tailored to different learning styles and needs.

Broad Reach

Since its launch in 2016, MLDS has expanded to serve 1,600 principals across 400+ school districts, including public, charter, and nonpublic schools.

Customized Support

MLDS provides personalized support to address principals' specific needs, with 88-92% of principals agreeing that the program offers customized assistance.

Proven Impact on Retention

The program has demonstrated remarkable success in principal retention, with 94.88% of MLDS participants remaining in their positions compared to 80% of non-participants after their first year. This focus on retention and measurable outcomes sets MLDS apart from many other state programs.

Integration with State Policy

MLDS is embedded into multiple policy areas in Missouri, including state standards for principals, principal preparation coursework at universities, certification requirements, and evaluation models. This systemic approach creates a cohesive leadership development ecosystem unique to Missouri. By offering this comprehensive, aligned, and measurably effective approach to principal development, MLDS stands out as a model for supporting school leaders throughout their careers.

By offering a comprehensive, aligned, and results-driven approach to principal development, MLDS serves as a national model for supporting school leaders throughout their careers.

How Does MLDS Address the Unique Challenges Faced By Charter and Non-Public School Leaders?

MLDS addresses the unique challenges faced by charter and nonpublic school leaders in several ways:

Broad Reach: MLDS is open to charter and nonpublic school leaders, extending its reach and impact beyond just public schools. This inclusivity allows these leaders to benefit from the same comprehensive support system as their public school counterparts.
Customized Support: MLDS provides personalized assistance to address principals' specific needs, with 88-92% of principals agreeing that the program offers customized support. This tailored approach likely extends to addressing the unique challenges faced by charter and nonpublic school leaders.
Networking Opportunities: MLDS facilitates networking and collaboration among principals, which is considered a key component of the program's effectiveness. This allows charter and nonpublic school leaders to connect with peers from various school types, sharing experiences and strategies.
Comprehensive Career-Spanning Approach: The program supports leaders at all stages of their careers, from aspiring pre-service principals to veteran leaders. This comprehensive approach ensures that charter and nonpublic school leaders can receive continuous professional growth throughout their careers.
Alignment with State Standards: While maintaining flexibility for different school types, MLDS aligns with existing statewide structures, including school leadership domains and principal evaluation systems. This alignment helps create a common leadership language across Missouri, benefiting all school types.
Growing Participation: As of 2023, 38% of charter school principals were participating in MLDS. This increasing involvement suggests that the program is addressing the needs of charter school leaders effectively.

While MLDS provides these supports, it's important to note that specific information on how the program addresses challenges unique to charter and nonpublic schools is limited in the provided search results. The program's adaptability and reach, however, suggest that it likely evolves to meet the diverse needs of all participating school leaders.