Professional Development

Pennsylvania ED Creates Superintendent's Academy

• By Leila Meyer
• 05/19/16

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.