Introduction
Effective leadership is one of the most important predictors of student success in school. Pa. School Code rather than the act?
24 P.S. §12-. 1205.5 reflects Pennsylvania's commitment to excellent leadership in education by focusing all professional development on the nine Pennsylvania Leadership Standards (PDF).
The law requires 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 AVTS (CTC) director) to meet their Act 45 continuing professional education requirements through programs addressing the three core and the six corollary standards. PDE 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.
All principals and assistant principals employed after January 1, 2008, are required to complete a Principal Induction Program that addresses the three core standards. PDE is required to provide a program at no cost to individuals or their school entities. 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 Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) Process
PDE 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. Approved providers may charge a fee or tuition for the courses or programs that they offer.
The Department seeks proposals from educational entities for consideration as approved providers of continuing professional education for school and system leaders, as defined by the legislation. Successful applicants will meet the specifications outlined below, and approved courses may be offered for a period of three (3) years.
NOTE: All entities or individuals that intend to serve as Act 45 professional development providers must seek approval through the application process. To begin a new application, contact the Help Desk, RA-EDACT48APP@pa.gov; they will ensure the appropriate application is provided. When all requested information is provided by the applicant, a reviewer will be assigned, and the applicant will be notified.
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
- corporations, partnerships, or limited liability companies
- sole proprietors (individuals)
An ITQ application may be requested via RA-EDACT45@pa.gov. Before an application is sent, PDE will confirm Act 48 status. See NOTE above for detail on becoming an Act 48 provider.
Proposals may be submitted for courses or conferences and must meet the following guidelines:
- A course, a series of related professional development learning sessions with a common theme and a results-based focus conducted over time, requires a minimum of 25 hours (but cannot exceed 50 hours), 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. Approved course proposals are valid for three (3) years.
- A conference, a series of professional learning strands focused on a specific topic, requires a minimum of 25 hours (but cannot exceed 50 hours), 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. Approved conference proposals are valid for one (1) year.
Principal Induction Courses must thoroughly address the three Core Leadership Standards and provide rich and rigorous content, with sharp focus of guiding new assistant/vice principals or principals. 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; however, a separate ITQ application must be submitted for each course.
Continuing Professional Education for School and System Leaders courses or conferences must 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, Future Ready Comprehensive Planning (FRCPP), Future Ready PA Index, design professional learning communities, and focus on results-driven planning.
The Approval Process
A separate PIL Invitation to Quality (ITQ) Act 45 Proposal Application must be submitted for each proposal. Proposals must address all criteria requested in the PIL ITQ Act 45 application and will be evaluated using the matrix criteria; incomplete applications will be returned for resubmission.
Entities are notified of the review session results within 30 days. If approved, proposals will be posted on the PA Inspired Leadership website (PDF). Note that approved proposals must be advertised and offered using the submitted title of course or conference.
Proposals not meeting the PIL ITQ evaluation matrix/scoring guide will be returned to the applicant along with the aforementioned matrix/scoring guide; it will identify the areas to be revised and resubmitted. Resubmissions must occur within 30 days of receipt of the evaluation matrix/scoring guide.
Send questions to RA-EDACT45@pa.gov.