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Sarasota News Leader October 4, 2013 Page 71 monthly seminars and a school-based action research project." Throughout the Academy experience, aspiring leaders have four opportunities to shadow other school or district administrators while on the job. "Administrators who are graduates of the Academy have proven to be excellent leaders of our schools and departments, understanding our culture and our dedication to serving our students and families." In Florida the Sarasota County district was ranked fourth highest in 2012 in student achievement, out of 67 school districts, the release points out. It was one of five districts in the state to receive an "A" rating this year. A national study has confirmed that the school districts demonstrating the greatest progress in student achievement "are those that had the foresight to identify the skills and knowledge they wanted in their leaders and developed their own internal career pathways for these jobs," the release adds. Successful completion of the Leadership Academy entitles participants to priority consideration for administrative internships, as well as the opportunity to interview for assistant principal vacancies. Formal application to the program is required. A principal or other district administrator must submit a recommendation and be willing to sponsor the applicant, the release notes. In the past five years, between 75 and 100 percent of all Sarasota County School District leadership hires were graduates of the Leadership Academy, the release says. Wendy "We are fortunate that we have a wonderful Katz and Cydelle Quinn, two retired school resource in the Leadership Academy," said district administrators, are serving as execuSuperintendent Lori White in the release. tive coaches and facilitators for the program. Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Lori White addresses Leadership Academy participants. Contributed photo