The Master Principal Program (MPP) was established through the passage of Act 44 of the Second Extraordinary Session of the 2003 Arkansas General Assembly to provide “training programs and opportunities to expand the knowledge base and leadership skills of public school principals.” MPP consists of three phases. A school principal successfully completing all phases and designation requirements of the program is designated as a Master Principal by the Arkansas Leadership Academy and is eligible for bonuses.

Criteria for MPP Phase I

Applicants must be full-time principals with at least one year of experience, hold a standard building-level administrator license from DESE or be working under an approved licensure exception*, and submit a completed application by the due date. Preference will be given to applicants with three (3) or more years of leadership experience.*

Criteria for MPP Phase II

Applicants must be full-time principals with at least one year of experience, hold a standard building-level administrator license from DESE or be working under an approved licensure exception*, and submit a completed application by the due date. Preference will be given to applicants with three (3) or more years of leadership experience.* Applicants must have completed Phase I or be currently participating in Phase I. (Current MPP I graduates will have two years to apply for MPP Phase II.)

After successful completion of the MPP I, the principal may choose to submit an application for phase II, submit their story of transformational leadership for their school, and three of their “Working on the Learning” assignment reflections from MPP I.

Criteria for MPP Phase III

Applicants must be full-time principals with at least one year of experience, hold a standard building-level administrator license from DESE or be working under an approved licensure exception*, and submit a completed application by the due date. Preference will be given to applicants with three (3) or more years of leadership experience.* Applicants must have successfully completed Phase II or be currently participating in Phase II. (Current MPP II graduates will have two years to apply for MPP III.)

After successful completion of the MPP II, the principal may choose to submit an application for phase III, submit their story of transformational leadership for their school, and three of their “Working on the Learning” assignment reflections from MPP II.

*These are the current criteria following recent amendments from the State Board of Education.