Walden University, Florida Association of School Administrators Team Up to Provide Online Degrees to Meet Principal Shortage

Minneapolis, MN (PRWEB) August 10, 2007 -- An alliance between the Florida Association of School Administrators (FASA) and Walden University will give educators and administrators in the state of Florida the opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership at Walden, an accredited online institution. The partnership will provide assistance to every school district in the state in recruiting, training and mentoring new principals by giving them access to a high-quality master's program and local mentoring by veteran principals, all facilitated online.

"During the next five years, 60 percent of all Florida principals will be eligible to retire, creating a critical shortage of school leaders. Now, more than ever, we must provide our members more effective methods to obtain the credentials they need. FASA selected Walden University based on the quality of the curriculum, created in partnership with AASA. Walden's M.S. in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership program is exactly what is needed," said FASA Executive Director Jim Warford.

The Educational Leadership program is designed for today's principals and their daily challenges. These leaders focus on one ultimate goal: to lead every student to higher levels of learning. This specialization will help students shape the future of education by giving them the knowledge and skills to lead classrooms, teachers, and schools to greater achievement. The curriculum reflects the standards for leadership education developed by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium and meets the requirements of the Florida Department of Education for the preparation of principals. Innovative in its "challenge cycle" design, the program gives future Florida principals exclusive access to national experts in school leadership, including Doug Reeves, Robert Marzano, Linda Darling-Hammond and Willard Daggett.

"Walden University is proud to support this FASA initiative. It provides Florida educators and administrators access to some of the nation's foremost educational leaders dedicated toward improving the performance of schools," said Walden's interim president, Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D. "We expect this alliance will result in preparing outstanding educational leaders for Florida as they continue to make their primary objective the improved academic achievement of Florida's students, especially those who have been historically underserved."

To learn more about professional development opportunities through Walden, visit the university's Web site at www.WaldenU.edu.

About Walden University:

Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, accredited online university offers master's and doctoral degrees in education, psychology, management, public policy and administration and health and human services, as well as master's programs in engineering and IT and bachelor's completion programs in business. Walden University is a member of the Laureate International Universities network, the largest global network of accredited campus-based and online universities. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org; 312-263-0456.

About FASA:

Vision: The Florida Association of School Administrators will be recognized as the premier education association in the nation.

Mission: The mission of the Florida Association of School Administrators is to support administrators in providing high-quality education to the students of Florida through advocacy, leadership and professional development.

FASA serves over 10,000 school leaders in Florida.

"The landscape if education is changing, and FASA is in a unique position to establish common ground for discussing what those changes should be. Membership in FASA will help build a stronger and more diverse community of emerging and experienced school system leaders. Join today. I think you'll quickly see that it's the best investment in education you've ever made!"

--Ruth Hall, FASA President

Contact:

Ana Sanchez

410-843-8083

Minneapolis, MN 55401

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