CPS introduces new recruitment initiative for principals

Chicago Public Schools announced a new initiative Wednesday that ensures quality control at city schools. The program has everything to do with hiring and keeping good principals.

Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett felt the current system needed an upgrade, so the new program centers on five points: Recruitment, eligibility and selection, leadership development and an effective measure of performance.

"What I'm excited about [is], once you're identified, you take an exam or something and you can breathe," Byrd Bennett said. "So we're really taking a look. Do you understand and are you able to really reach the levels of sophistication and accountability we want around the day and life of a principal?

"How does that person respond to the emergency of a kid who's just had a tummy issue and has barfed all over the classroom and you don't want to interrupt instruction? You have an irate parent come in. You were in meetings and it didn't go well and you mend those relationships," the CEO continued. "How do you build a leadership team that works with you?"

Byrd-Bennett was a long-time teacher and principal for eight years, so she knows a thing or two about being a good principal. She's going to borrow from that experience and implement those insights to the new program.

She will also borrow from the private business sector in terms of providing cash incentives for teachers, staff and principals who do well, and recognize them for it. Cash rewards will range from $5,000-$20,000.