Missouri Leadership Development System

A blue gear with the text 'strong schools start with strong leaders' written inside of it.
MLDSLogo

The Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS) is strengthening schools across our state by making sure every student learns in a building led by an effective, confident principal. When leadership is strong, teachers thrive, students succeed, and the whole school community benefits. MLDS provides school leaders with practical tools, ongoing coaching, and a statewide network that boosts their instructional skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead with purpose. By helping schools grow strong leadership teams, MLDS supports positive, lasting growth for every learner.

Our mission is simple: every student in Missouri should attend a school with an effective, confident leader. 

When communities invest in strong leadership, they invest in better learning, brighter futures, and schools where every child can succeed.

 

MLDS Impact
A one-pager with statistics and comparisons regarding the MLDS program.

In the fast‑moving world of education, staying connected to the real needs of school leaders is essential. In 2022, MLDS partnered with the Community Training and Assistance Center through a U.S. Department of Education grant to better understand and support the ongoing challenges educational leaders face. The products developed focused on elevating the knowledge, skills and dispositions of building principals with an emphasis on three key priorities that emerged for school leaders in the post- pandemic era:

Formative Reviews of the Missouri Leadership Development System

Each year MLDS conducts a 3rd party review of data to understand the impact the program is making on Missouri Leaders and educators. Below are results of these independent reviews from the past years.

Resources

a. Mentoring Support

b. MLDS Video Series

c. Micro-Credentials

  • What are micro-credentials and how do I get signed up?
    • With a continuous need for excellent leaders in our schools, the MLDS micro-credentials offer principals an opportunity to demonstrate mastery of critical school leader skills. To complete these micro-credentials, you must contact one of Missouri’s two principal associations: MAESP or MoASSP. Their websites provide more information about MLDS micro-credentials. Once you have completed the micro-credentials, the Missouri principal association you choose to go through will need to write a confirmation letter to be sent in with your administrator application.
    • Individuals interested in upgrading their administrator certificate may complete MLDS micro-credentials instead of completing an education specialist degree or higher. 
      • To move from an Initial Administrator Certificate to a Transition Administrator Certificate, you must complete three (3) department-approved MLDS micro-credentials.
      • To move from an Initial or Transition Administrator Certificate to a Career Continuous Administrator Certificate, you must complete fifteen (15) department-approved MLDS micro-credentials.

d. Aspiring Principal Video Library

Newsletters

MLDS Newsletter - Be the first to know about powerful leadership development opportunities across Missouri! Sign up for the MLDS Newsletter for access to tools, events, and insights that support your growth as a current or aspiring school leader.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
  • What is the Missouri Leadership Development System (MLDS) and who can participate?
    • There are many leadership positions within a school setting. and all have an impact on adult and students learning. MLDS is designed to work with principals and/or those aspiring to be principals by increasing their knowledge, skills, and attitudes around the areas of being and effective Visionary, Instructional, Managerial, Innovative and Relational Leader. In the future, we plan to expand our support to other areas of leadership development within the school setting including instructional coaches, curriculum coordinators and any other personnel who lead school staff. 
  • Who do I contact to get involved in MLDS and is there a fee?
    • The Missouri Leadership Development System is facilitated by Specialists located in Regional Professional Development Centers in 9 regions across the state of Missouri. Contact your local RPDC or MLDS Specialist in your region. MLDS is funded through DESE using federal and state dollars. Participants may be charged a minimal fee to participate to recover the cost of materials, parking, and other incidentals. 
  • What region am I in?
    • Review the MLDS map to find your county and region and contact the MLDS Specialist for your region.

To participate in MLDS, please contact the Leadership Development Specialist at your Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC) for additional program and registration information.

For more information, view the MLDS Module 12 video below.