"North Carolina principals and assistant principals have long participated in the Teacher Working Conditions (TWC) survey, but the abbreviated items they received offered only a partial view of leadership experiences. In response, the NC Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association (NCPAPA), and statewide partners formed a working group of principals, superintendents, and district leaders to design a new, dedicated instrument: the North Carolina Principal Working Conditions (NCPWC) survey. The NCPWC elevates school leader voice by capturing systematic, reliable data on district leadership, professional support, time use, climate, and resources. This session will preview results from the initial statewide pilot, conducted in fall 2025 across eight districts representing rural, suburban, and small-town contexts. We will share early descriptive findings, discuss how the survey aligns with NC’s Standards for School Executives, and highlight areas such as professional learning, access and belonging, and principal retention. Looking ahead, the NCPWC aims to become a biennial survey, parallel to the TWC, that informs state and district policy while maintaining confidentiality across diverse district sizes. Participants will be invited to provide feedback on the pilot results and consider how this tool can strengthen preparation, support, and retention of school leaders." Presenters: Tim Drake, Jeni Corn, Abby Pearce, Patrick Greene, Wesley Johnson