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PIL Invitation to Qualify (ITQ)

Information and Instructions 2022-23

Applications are to be sent electronically to Carla Wilson at c-cwilson@pa.gov.

Introduction

Pennsylvania recognizes that effective leadership is one of the most important predictors of student success in school. Act 45 of 2007 reflects Pennsylvania's commitment to excellent leadership in education by refocusing all professional education on the nine PA Leadership Standards. The Department is seeking proposals from educational entities that want to be considered Approved Providers of continuing professional education for school and system leaders, as defined by Act 45 of 2007. This document describes the Department's expectations for professional education that is offered to school and system leaders. Successful applicants will meet the specifications outlined in this document, and the courses submitted will be approved for a period of three (3) years.

The ITQ review sessions will be scheduled on a quarterly basis in 2022-23. Please use this link www.education.pa.gov/Act45PIL to check the PIL website for submission dates.

Background

The law requires all principals and assistant principals who are employed after January 1, 2008, to complete a Principal Induction Program that addresses the three core standards. The Department is required to provide a program at no cost to individuals or their school entities, and required participation is limited to 36 in-class hours per year, or a total of 108 in-class hours for the entire Principal Induction Program.

The law also requires all school and system leaders (defined as principal, assistant or vice principal, superintendent, assistant superintendent, I.U. executive director, I.U. assistant executive director, and AVTS director) to meet their Act 48 continuing professional education requirements through programs that address the three core and the six corollary standards. The Department is required to provide a program of Continuing Professional Education for School and System Leaders at no cost to the individual or their school entity.

The Department is required to approve other providers for the Principals' Induction Program and the Continuing Professional Education for School and System Leaders and must annually publish the list of Approved Providers. The Approved Providers may charge a fee or tuition for the courses or programs that they offer.

The Invitation to Qualify Process

The Invitation to Qualify Process permits providers to submit a course, conference, or Principal Induction Program for approval. All courses and conferences must address core and/or corollary standards as set forth in the Pennsylvania School Leadership Standards.

Principal Induction Courses: Principal Induction courses must thoroughly address the three Core PA Leadership Standards and provide rich and rigorous content with the sharp focus of guiding new assistant/vice principals or principals. Act 45 requires that participation is limited to 36 in-class hours per year or a total of 108 in-class hours for an entire Principal Induction program. Training may be provided by offering more than one course. A separate ITQ application must be submitted for each course.

Course or Conference Required Hours

A course is a series of related professional development learning sessions with a common theme and a results-based focus conducted over time.

  • Principal Induction courses must thoroughly address the three Core PA Leadership Standards and provide rich and rigorous content with the sharp focus of guiding new assistant/vice principals or principals. Act 45 requires that participation is limited to 36 in-class hours per year or a total of 108 in-class hours for an entire Principal Induction program. Training may be provided by offering more than one course. A separate ITQ application must be submitted for each course.

A conference is a series of professional learning strands focused on a specific topic.

The course or conference must provide a minimum of 25 hours of study inclusive of related, job-embedded assignments. A culminating activity is required: an evaluated final project focused on improving conditions that will lead to increased student success in the school or system.

A course or conference must be a minimum of 25 hours and cannot exceed 50 hours in value (See Principal Induction courses above). 

The context for professional education for school and system leaders is an aligned education system for improved student achievement. The PA Leadership Standards focus professional education on the key elements of that system. Quality leadership and a continuous learning ethic are the pillars that support a successful education system.

Approved courses or conference will be designed to help leaders:

  • develop the knowledge and understanding required to create and continuously improve standards-aligned instructional systems.
  • create and improve a data-driven culture (e.g., Value Added Measures, Comprehensive Planning, SPP).
  • design professional learning communities.
  • focus on results-driven planning.

The Approval Process

  1. Entities eligible to submit Act 45 courses or conferences through the ITQ process include:

    • Institutions of Higher Education (courses for continuing education only; not certification or degree programs)
    • Intermediate Units
    • School Districts
    • Professional Associations
    • Non-profit Organizations
    • Corporation, partnership, or limited liability company

  2. PDE Act 48 Approved Provider requirement:

    Entities must be approved by PDE as an Act 48 professional development provider to upload PIL hours for participants. If you are not an Act 48 Approved Provider, please review the Approved Provider guidelines and request an Act 48 Approved Provider application.

    Act 48 Approved Provider application

  1. Course or conference Act 45 proposal must include the following.

    • A separate PIL Invitation to Quality (ITQ) Act 45 Proposal Application must be submitted for each proposal.
    • Completed Cover Sheet Section (e.g., contact information, provider assurances, target audience identification, quality control verification measures and proposal classification).
    • Proposals must address all criteria requested in the PIL ITQ Act 45 application.

  2. Applications must be sent electronically to Carla Wilson at c-cwilson@pa.gov
    Contact information:
    Carla Wilson
    Pennsylvania Department of Education
    333 Market Street, 10th Floor
    Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333
    717-346-7112

  3. Proposals will be reviewed quarterly in 2022-23.

  4. Proposals are reviewed using the PIL ITQ Evaluation Matrix. Please note that all sections of the application must meet the matrix criteria for approval. Incomplete applications will be returned for resubmission.

  5. Entities are notified of the review session results within 30 days.

    • Approved proposals:
      • Approved proposals will be posted on the PA Inspired Leadership website at www.education.pa.gov/Act45PIL
      • Approved proposals must be advertised and offered using the title of course or conference.
      • Approval length for conferences: one (1) year
      • Approval length for courses: three (3) years
    • Proposals not meeting the PIL ITQ Evaluation Matrix criteria:
      • Proposal will be returned to the applicant with PIL ITQ Evaluation Matrix (scoring guide). The matrix will identify the areas to be revised and resubmitted. Please refer to the reviewer comments when editing the document.
      • Proposals may be revised and resubmitted via email to c-cwilson@pa.gov