​Continuing Professional Education for School and System Leaders Program

Effective January 1, 2008, all school and system leaders (defined as principal, assistant or vice principal, superintendent, assistant superintendent, Intermediate Unit executive director, Intermediate Unit assistant executive director, and Area Vocational-Technical School director) must meet their Act 48 continuing professional education requirements in programs that address the three core and six corollary PA leadership standards.   

The Department offers a variety of courses at its eight regional sites, each of which is aligned to one or more of the leadership standards and is delivered by trained facilitators to cohorts of 25 to 35 experienced leaders. Each course requires advance readings and online work to prepare for the onsite training, as well as follow-up job-embedded activities. Instructional methods are varied and suitable for the adult learner.

• National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) UNITS, TOPICS, AND THEMES Revised training! NISL Courses may be retaken for Act 45 credit if completed prior to 2016.
• PIL Blended Course Descriptions
  
• Approved Continuing Professional Education courses and programs other than those provided by the PA Inspired Leaders Program (PDF)
• Act 13 and Beyond: School Leaders Driving Instructional Excellence
  

Core and Corollary PA Leadership Standards

Core Standards:

• The leader has the knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically, creating an organizational vision around personalized student success.
• The leader has an understanding of standards-based systems theory and design and the ability to transfer that knowledge to the leader's job as the architect of standards-based reform in the school.
• The leader has the ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making at all levels of the system.

Corollary Standards:

• The leader knows how to create a culture of teaching and learning with an emphasis on learning.
• The leader knows how to manage resources for effective results.
• The leader knows how to collaborate, communicate, engage and empower others inside and outside of the organization to pursue excellence in learning.
• The leader knows how to operate in a fair and equitable manner with personal and professional integrity.
• The leader knows how to advocate for children and public education in the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context.
• The leader knows how to support professional growth of self and others through practice and inquiry.