“As an inquiry group, the network can provide the kind of support and feedback principals need.” – Network principal

“These sessions always give me something to think about. Sometimes I just feel less alone hearing that administrators in other small school districts are going through the same thing I am, and sometimes there are ideas that I consider and potentially put into practice.” - Network principal

PARTNER WITH US!

Interested in partnering with CAP-Ed to launch a collaborative network in your region? Let us know! Using our research-based model, our team will help you to support a network for development and engagement with case studies to explore education leaders’ Problems of Practice (POP) and Theories of Action (TOA). Our networks build professional capacity, shared leadership and positive system change for the benefit of students.

To learn more about partnering with the UC Davis Center for Applied Policy in Education (CAP-Ed) to implement our Collaborative Network Model in your region contact Christina E. Murdoch at tmurdoch@ucdavis.edu.

Our Collaborative Support Network Model for principals.

Our partnership with Chico State’s Shasta Regional Academy, as part of California’s statewide system of support, fosters collaboration across the region. Our Collective Inquiry Network Model is derived from seventeen years of working with researchers and practitioners through CAP-Ed’s programs leading to leadership capacity building across the state. 

The California Department of Education (CD) has made a historic $42 million investment in educational leaders through the 21st Century California School Leadership (21CSLA). As part of this initiative, the School of Education’s Center for Applied Policy in Education (CAP-Ed), led by Dr. Christina Murdoch and Dr. Megan Welsh, has developed and launched the 21CSLA Principals’ Collaborative Network, which is focused on shared leadership, instructional improvement, and measurable positive outcomes for students. Through a series of collaborative sessions, participating principals are supported in developing methods for collaborative professionalism focused on areas of improvement in their schools that they identify as high leverage, based on data, and informed by research. CAP-Ed has developed the network in partnership with the Northern California Educational Leadership Consortium, the UC Berkeley School of Education, UCLA School of Education and Information Studies, and the UC San Diego-based California Subject Matter Project. Read more about 21CSLA.

Year Three - 21CLSA Principals’ Collaborative Network (2025-2026)

The 21CLSA Principals’ Collaborative Network is a unique opportunity for principals to collaborate, providing them with both support and new ideas for addressing challenges and priorities in their schools. The program is a partnership with 21CSLA in Northern California in 2025-2026, NorCal ELC at California State University Chico and the Center for Applied Policy in Education at UC Davis.

Our research-based collaborative network model was developed with support from the Stuart Foundation, first working with with superintendents, then with principals. We consistently hear from network members about the power of the model to support improvement efforts in school districts and schools.

One principal put it this way, “I am coming away from the session with new ideas and things to try out in my school. I am so thankful for everyone’s input and support.” Another shared, “I love learning. And with people’s openness and engagement, this is true professional learning.”

Eight network sessions from August 2025 - May 2026 supports a cadre of 25-30 principals to participate. Supported with funding from the California Department of Education as part of the 21CSLA Regional Academy Network and the 21CSLA State Center at UC Berkeley; participation is FREE.

Year Three - 21CLSA Principals’ Collaborative Network (2025-2026)  

We are accepting enrollment requests for the 2025-2026 academic year.

21CLSA Principals’ Collaborative Network (2025-2026) Calendar

Session I – August 27, 2025, – 8am-3pm - In person (Redding, CA – location tbd)

Session II – September 16, 2025 - 7:30am-9:30am – Zoom

Session III – October 23, 2025 – 8am-3pm - In person (Chico, CA – Chico State Campus) 

Session IV – November 13, 2025 – 7:30-9:30am – Zoom

Session V  – January 15, 2026 – 7:30-9:30am – Zoom

Session VI – February 5, 2026 – 7:30-9:30am – Zoom

Session VII – March 25, 2026 – 7:30-9:30am – Zoom

Session VIII – May 13, 2026 – 8am-3pm - In person (Redding, CA – location pending)     

If you have any questions about the network, please contact Christina Murdoch, CAP-Ed’s Executive Director and network founder, at tmurdoch@ucdavis.edu.

Enrollment link:  21CSLA Principals’ Collaborative Support Network