Call for Comment: Revised ISLLC Standards
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) invites feedback on the latest revision of the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) model standards. Comments are due Friday, May 29.
The update attempts to capture the changing expectations for school leaders, who are increasingly held responsible not only for administrative tasks but also for student learning. The model standards, according to the draft document,
[. . .] clarify the most important work and responsibilities of learning-focused leaders operating in today’s education context. Grounded in both research and effective practice, these standards provide a framework for state departments of education and districts alike to understand how to best prepare, support, and evaluate education leaders in their efforts to help every child reach his or her fullest potential. [. . .] The standards can also inform how schools and districts recruit and cultivate leaders who can build teams that share and distribute the responsibilities required for high levels of student learning and achievement to occur. (p. 3)
Seven interdependent indicators are listed for “transformational leadership”:
- Build a shared vision of student success and well-being.
- Champion and support instruction and assessment that maximizes student learning and achievement.
- Manage and develop staff members’ professional skills and practices in order to drive student learning and achievement.
- Cultivate a caring and inclusive school community dedicated to student learning, academic success and the personal well-being of every student.
- Coordinate resources, time, structures, and roles effectively to build the instructional capacity of teachers and other staff.
- Engage families and the outside community to promote and support student success.
- Administer and manage operations efficiently and effectively.
The standards flesh out these indicators with a series of associated actions. In addition, the draft document identifies eight key dispositions for education leaders that emphasize the heightened focus on continuous improvement: growth oriented, collaborative, innovative, analytical, ethical, perseverant, reflective, and equity minded.
An earlier draft of the document released last fall contained separate standards around ethical principles, equity, and other areas that are now integrated across the seven remaining standards, based on feedback received during a comment period. Although some are unhappy with the changes, CCSSO is committed to listening to comments from the field in order to arrive at the best possible model standards.
Find the draft of the standards here.
Comment on the standards by May 29 here.
Tags: AACTE partner organizations, principal preparation, program improvement
