In an era of educational accountability, charter schooling, merit pay, and data-driven standards, school principals face unprecedented demands as leaders and managers. Are education schools teaching new principals the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in this new world? Addressing this vital question will be AEI's director of education policy studies, Frederick Hess, who will present new findings that document what is being taught in preparation programs for principals.* 

Responding to Hess's research will be panelists James Donnelly, 2004 National Principal of the Year; Sharon Robinson, president of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE); Jon Schnur, chief executive officer of New Leaders for New Schools; and Julie Underwood, chair of the National Policy Board for Educational Administration. Paul Peterson, Harvard University professor and director of the Program on Education Policy and Government, will moderate.