THE LOWELL-LEADERSHIP-ACADEMY - MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF URBAN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP

The Lowell Leadership Academy is a 12-year-old partnership between the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Lowell Public Schools. The university organizes full-day monthly sessions and a week-long summer institute that provide professional development for Lowell's 60 admin istrators. In addition to providing collegial support, reducing isolat ion, and strengthening leadership skills and knowledge, the academy ha s also influenced policy development and curricular and instructional reform in the district. Since the academy's inception in 1985, it cont inues to serve as an important forum as the city of Lowell experiences major demographic changes, economic downturns, shifting political con texts, and education reform mandates. This article describes the acade my's history and growth, its mission and methodology, and its promise as a resource for urban school districts.