Approving Advancing Virginia's Leadership Agenda Guidance Document: Standards and Indicators for School Leaders and Documentation for the Principal of Distinction (Level II) Administration and Supervision Endorsement
Resolution Number 2008-45
November 20, 2008
The Board of Education approves the Advancing Virginia's Leadership Agenda Guidance Document: Standards and Indicators for School Leaders and Documentation for the Principal of Distinction (Level II) Administration and Supervision Endorsement.
The Advancing Virginia's Leadership Agenda Guidance Document: Standards and Indicators for School Leaders and Documentation for the Principal of Distinction (Level II) Administration and Supervision Endorsement has three major components. They are as follows:
Performance Standards for School Leaders: The revised Performance Standards for School Leaders (principals and assistant principals) articulate the expectations of principals in the Commonwealth's schools. They describe the functions of the position that can be used to judge the effectiveness of principals and focus assessment efforts on self-growth, instructional effectiveness, and improvement of overall performance. The standards were aligned with the Educational Leadership Policy Standards, formerly known as the Interstate Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards. The 17 standards are categorized into five areas: Planning and Assessment; Instructional Leadership; Safety and Organizational Management for Learning; Communication and Community Relations; and Professionalism.
Performance Indicators: The performance indicators developed for each of the 17 Virginia Performance Standards for School Leaders are based on the two-tiered endorsement model. The "Principal of Distinction" Level I indicators reflect proficient performance for school leaders who serve in the roles of assistant principals and principals. The "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement is optional, and the indicators reflect examples of distinguished performance by principals.
The Licensure Regulations for School Personnel set forth the requirements to achieve the Level II administration and supervision endorsement. A building-level administrator may seek Level II endorsement in administration and supervision preK-12 after successfully serving as a building-level administrator for at least five years in a public school or accredited nonpublic school and successfully completing a formal induction program as a principal or assistant principal. In order to earn Level II endorsement, the principal must meet two or more of the following criteria as specified by the Board of
Education and documented in a Department of Education approved format and be recommended by the employing Virginia school division superintendent:
1. Evidence of improved student achievement;
2. Evidence of effective instructional leadership;
3. Evidence of positive effect on school climate or culture;
4. Earned doctorate in educational leadership or evidence of formal professional development in the areas of school law, school finance, supervision, human resource management, and instructional leadership; or
5. Evidence of completion of a high-quality professional development project designed by the division superintendent.
The performance expected for the "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement involves creating a systemic framework for school processes which, become integrated into the school's culture and are sustainable beyond a principal's tenure. Inherent in the Level II performance indicators is the skill to responsively meet student needs, create collaborative work environments for teachers, engage constituencies in school improvement efforts, and foster a commitment to learning-centered schools.
Documentation for the "Principal of Distinction" (Level II) Administration and Supervision Endorsement :
Principals have the option of seeking the "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement. Candidates for this "Principal of Distinction" status must hold a Level I endorsement (unrestricted), have five years of successful service as a building-level administrator, meet two of the five criteria specified by the Board of Education, completed a formal induction program or an alternative activity described in the guidelines, and be recommended by their employing Virginia school division superintendent. Principals who seek the "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement must submit a written notice of their intent to seek the endorsement to their division superintendent.
A completed portfolio would be submitted to the superintendent for review and determination of whether the principal met all requirements for the "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement. The superintendent may request the recommendation of a review panel serving in an advisory capacity to determine if sufficient evidence has been presented to support the "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement. Panels could be constituted within the division or across regional areas of the state. At least one outside reviewer is advisable to lend creditability to the process. The review panel would make their recommendation for the granting or denial of the "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement and the rationale for the decision to the superintendent. The division superintendent's recommendation will be required for the "Principal of Distinction" administration and supervision endorsement.
Mark E. Emblidge, President
Board of Education
Adopted in the Minutes of the Virginia Board of Education
November 20, 2008