Louisiana:
Preparation Program Approval Policies

Category III: Advanced Endorsements, Degrees, & Alternative Paths for Educational Leaders

Types of Programs Names of Programs Descriptions

1. Endorsement Program Endorsement — Teacher Leader Advanced graduate courses for teachers who aspire to be educational leaders.
2. Master's Degree Program (Advanced) Advanced graduate program for teachers who want to become certified as an Educational Leader — Level 1while attaining their Master's Degree.
3. Non-Degree Program, Specialist, or Doctorate Alternative Path – Advanced graduate program for teachers with a Master's Degree who want to become certified as an Educational Leader — Level 1.

During the external review process in Louisiana, the primary focus of the external evaluators will be upon the degree to which the redesigned educational leadership programs create educational leaders who possess the knowledge and skills to create school environments in which improved student achievement and continuous school improvement occurs. In that the old certification requirements for principals and administrators lack requirements to fully address this focus, redesigned programs will not be recommended for approval if institutions simply align existing courses with the Standards for School Principals in Louisiana. More significant changes must be made to both program content and program delivery. It is recommended that all institutions examine the following document that was produced fall 2002 by the Southern Regional Education Board: Universities in the Lead: Redesigning Leadership Preparation for Student Achievement.

1. Components of Program Section
   1. Course Sequence for Degree Plan/Program
   2. State Certification Matrix for Educational Leaders: Provide a listing of the courses that address each of the Standards for School Principals in Louisiana.
   3. Progression of Site-based Experiences for Post-baccalaureate Programs: Identify performance activities within site-based settings that candidates will be expected to complete.
2. Program Description
   All programs should be designed to address the New Certification Structure for Educational Leadership approved by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program curriculum should directly address the Standards for School Principals in Louisiana, the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards for School Leaders, and the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) Standards for Advanced Programs in Educational Leadership.
   1. Overview of Program Structure
   2. Redesign Team for Educational Leadership and Other Forms of Collaboration: Discuss the process that was used to create the Redesign Team for the Educational Leadership Program. Identify the diverse membership of the Redesign Team (e.g., College of Education, College of Business, community leaders, district personnel, school personnel, parents, etc.) and the process that was used for members to provide input as the educational leadership program was designed.
   3. Recruitment and Selection: Requires a collaborative process that will be used for universities and school districts to work together to recruit outstanding individuals for the program and how the process ensure selection of outstanding candidates.
   4. Preparation for School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA): Identify efforts that will be made to ensure that candidates are being provided appropriate knowledge and skills to successfully pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) for state certification as an educational leader.
   5. Support of Program Completers
3. Course Descriptions
   1. Catalog Description of Content Specific Courses (e.g., Mathematics, English, etc.)
   2. Narrative Description of Courses for Educational Leader Program
4. Description of Field Sites and Performance Activities
5. Assessment System and Program Evaluation

Source:

• Guidelines for Redesigned Post-Baccalaureate Program Proposals (March 10, 2003)