Educators with dreams of becoming principals or assistant principals received a big boost this week, thanks to a national grant.

The Arlington ISD is one of five organizations nationwide - and the only in Texas - to receive part of a nearly $2.5 million Principals Path to Leadership grant from American Express and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The grant program, announced during National Principals Month, is created to expand effective principal preparation programs and share best practices broadly to impact education reform.

The AISD will receive $330,000 over three years. The grant will support the AISD's Emerging Leaders Program that is designed to strengthen the leadership skills of 105 aspiring principals and assistant principals. The Emerging Leaders Program, in partnership with national nonprofit New Leaders, includes a summer induction session, monthly in-person meetings, one-on-one coaching and ongoing webinars that help develop these school leaders' application of learning, which will promote increased student outcomes.

"We are honored to be awarded this grant that will help us continue to provide unique opportunities for leadership development, which is in alignment with our goals for effective leadership in the district's Achieve Today. Excel Tomorrow. strategic plan," Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said.

The AISD was selected from among a targeted pool of more than 70 applicants. Other grant-winning organizations are: Learning Forward (Oxford, Ohio), Alabama State Department of Education, New York City Leadership Academy and North Carolina Alliance for School Leadership Development. The combined $2.5 million will increase these programs' capacity and impact over the next three years with an eye toward long-term sustainability.

"Principal leadership is an essential component of any schoolwide improvement initiative, especially now as schools remodel their internal structures to implement college- and career-ready standards," said NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti. "We deeply value the partnership of American Express in our shared goal of providing the best preparation possible for the next wave of principals who will advance student achievement."

"We have built several effective global programs to develop the critical leadership skills of nonprofit and social purpose leaders," said Timothy J. McClimon, president, American Express Foundation. "We are pleased to partner with NASSP to award grants to these five exemplary organizations that have already made strides in principal leadership training. By giving more principals access to these programs, we hope to help students and schools thrive."