Pennsylvania ED Creates Superintendent's Academy
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has launched its Superintendent's Academy, a new professional
development program designed for district leaders from around the state.
The
two-year program is geared towards district superintendents serving
high-poverty areas and "is a central component of the governor's vision
of equity and Secretary of Education Pedro A. Rivera's Poverty and
Student Achievement Initiative," according to a news release.
"Poverty
adds unprecedented challenges for students," said Rivera in a prepared
statement. "In addition to ensuring students are provided with a
quality education, Pennsylvania's school leaders often must respond to
ancillary needs like access to nutrition programs, mental health and
additional support services."
PDE partnered with the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) to offer the program, the content of which is based on two documents: "Dimensions of Leadership" from NISL and "9 Building Blocks for a World Class Education System" from the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE).
The
Superintendent's Academy has already held its preliminary three-day
residential forum, which introduced the key concepts of the program.
For the remainder of the two-year program, superintendents will meet in
regional cohort sessions and online learning communities, as well as
two three-day colloquiums in Harrisburg. Rivera also envisions the
Superintendent's Academy as an opportunity to "establish a community of
practice to exchange ideas and best practices in serving these
communities."
Participants will receive Act 45 Pennsylvania Inspired Leaders (PIL) Program hours upon successful completion of the program.
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].