Achieving ISLLC and Virginia Standards for School Leaders | Dr. Thomas L. Shortt
Program Description
Today it is not enough to do your best. School administrators must know what to do and then do their best. It is no longer adequate for school leaders to know what is required for successful student achievement. They must possess a knowledge base that allows them to know if teachers are teaching and students are learning.
Unfortunately many school leaders set sail on a journey without a compass or a map to direct them as they implement a vision. Standards to some degree will offer a map for providing an opportunity for teaching and learning as school leaders direct the actions of their crew. These standards act as a map and the presenters' interpretations as a navigation system that avoids the pitfalls of the unknown as the journey unfolds.
There is much research regarding the notion that school leaders should be proficient in "this" and know how to do "that" but little information on the actual application of "this" and "that" is available. This program provides an overview or the intent of the ISLLC standard indicators and tried and tested strategies for the actual implementation of the standard indicators.
These interpretations draw heavily on the work and philosophy of practitioners from business and education that the presenter admires, has worked with, and interacted with over the years. These interpretations reflect the actions and experiences of these people and rely heavily on their experiences in both education and business. This program is designed to help school leaders who are facing what could be arguably be the most challenging time in the history of public education.
Now that these standards have become a reality for school leaders across Virginia and the United States, the questions that must be addressed before the measurement of these standards can become indicators of a school leader's performance include:
- Are school leaders prepared to meet these standards based on previous training?
- Will there be significant technical assistance to assist school leaders who need additional training?
If school leaders in your district or your school are dealing with leadership standards issues, then this is a program that will assist in using standards as a compass for teaching and learning.
Materials include copies of the updated version of the ISLLC and the Virginia Standards as well as the Virginia standards for professional performance evaluations and samples of School Leaders Licensure Assessment. Additional materials include excerpts from the presenter's forthcoming book, The Face of the New Principal (working title), information on the ISLLC standards, and a toolkit for assisting in the implementation of the identified standards.
Virginia Standard(s) Addressed
Planning & Assessment (ISLLC standard 3)Instructional Leadership (ISLLC standard 1)
Safety & Organizational Management for Learning (ISLLC standards 2 & 3)
Communications & Community Relations (ISLLC standard 4)
Professionalism (ISLLC standards 5 & 6)
Program Goals and Objectives
By the end of this program, participants will learn how to understand and implement the intent of the ISLLC and Virginia Standards. See the Virginia Standards for additional program goals.Program Format
An instrument to assess participants' knowledge base of the ISLLC and Virginia Standards will be administered as the first order of business. The data from this instrument will allow the provider to identify the level of understanding of the participants. The provider will present the intent of each standard and strategies for the implementation of each standard in a school setting. Interaction from participants will enhance the suggested strategies and will add to the instructional tool kit.Target Audience
All building level leaders K-12, aspiring principals, as well as central office personnel responsible for training and assessment of building level leaders.Self-Selection and/or Identification Through School Division
No/yes. Any designation of individuals or groups with specific performance expectations that match the intent of the standards is adequate.Duration of Program
Two full days of 6-8 hours or two half days of 3-4 hours.
- The first sessions addresses standards 1-3 and the second session addresses standards 4-6.
- Scheduling of the time required to complete the program is flexible and can be scheduled to meet the needs of the receivers.
Outcomes Measured
A written documentation of the participants' knowledge base of the intent and use of the standards.
- Resources provided for participants for future implementation of standards.
- Participants' analysis - role playing for addressing leadership issues critical to the success of teaching and learning in a school.
Program Evaluation
Participant evaluation forms and a follow-up survey at the end of six months to determine the use of the knowledge acquired during program participation.Contact Information
Dr. Thomas L Shortt
1805 Chantilly Street
Richmond, Va. 23230
Phone: 804.355.6791
Email: tshortt@vaesp.org