The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.


Most states base their standards for school leaders on the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards. These standards were updated last November. This NASBE Policy Update compares the new standards, now called Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), with the ISLLC standards and outlines what states will need to consider as they implement changes instituted by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).


Shift in Emphasis in New Standards for Educational Leaders





Featured Items

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States’ Role in Transforming High School: Evidence, Trends, and the Path Forward

High school sits at the intersection of everything states want for their young people, yet many young people say high school is not working for them. State leaders have numerous levers to incentivize high school transformation.
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Preparing Principals to Lead Innovative High Schools

By better aligning principal preparation, licensure, and support systems, state boards of education can unlock the potential of innovative high school models.
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School Improvement and Accountability

The authors in this issue share what they have learned about what is most likely to move the needle on student learning and how to ensure states and districts are directing resources toward what matters most for improving outcomes

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