Standards for School Leaders:

Arkansas educators at all levels have been working on setting standards for student and teacher performance over the past few years. Many may not know that the same standard-setting agenda has been addressed for school leaders.

Arkansas is a member of ISLLC. Yet another acronym to add to our list!! ISLLC (Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium) was funded by the Pew Charitable Trust and member states to develop standards for school leaders. Those standards were adopted and published in 1996. The Arkansas Standards for Licensure of School Administrators are based on the ISLLC standards.

Arkansas has moved forward with licensure requirements for school principals. Those requirements include a Master's degree with a program of study reflective of the Arkansas standards for building-level administrators, an internship and a portfolio. Each candidate seeking a building-level administrator license will be required to take the SLLA (School Leaders Licensure Assessment). The key to the program of study and the SLLA is performance based in design and expectations with a teaching and learning focus.

ASCD, AASA, AAESP, AASSP, and NCATE are working together in the implementation of the ISSLC standards for school leaders. In an ISSLC meeting I recently attended, each of the mentioned organizations presented their plans for supporting and moving forward the standards. You will see much emphasis placed on "Leadership" by these organizations in the future.

At a time when accountability is at the forefront, the -performance of educational leaders becomes paramount at every level in education; from the classroom teachers, to building and district administrators to the university professors, a PK- 1 6 system is here.

Standard One: The administrator demonstrates leadership which provides purpose and direction for greater student understanding and problem solving.

Standard 2: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.

Standard Three: The administrator creates a secure environment that is conducive to greater student achievement.

Standard Two: The administrator has the skills to implement plans of action efficiently and effectively for greater student achievement.

Standard Two: The administrator has the skills to implement plans of action efficiently and effectively for greater student achievement.

Standard 6: A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding, responding to, and influencing the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context.