Background

Commission on School Leader Preparation

School Leader Task Force

Working Together to Prepare Illinois School Leaders Initiative

Redesign Committees

School Leadership Standards

New Structure for Leadership Certification and Endorsements

School/University Partnerships and Selection Process

Residencies and Internships

Assessments of Candidates and Graduates

Teacher Cert Board Process

Principal Certification Exam

National Work

Supporting Research

Useful Resources

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School Leader Task Force

The Illinois School Leader Task Force was created by the General Assembly through HJR66 and SJR56 to develop an implementation plan to guide statewide initiatives in increasing the quality and effectiveness of school leader preparation. In accordance with the legislative resolutions, the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Office of the Governor jointly appointed a task force to recommend a sequence of strategic steps, based on, but not limited to, the measures detailed in the Commission on School Leader Preparation report, Blueprint for Change.

 From October 2007 through January 2008, Task Force members:

1. Examined Illinois data collected by external sources, including a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) state benchmarking report and an Illinois Council of Professors of Education Administration (ICPEA) gap analysis, as well as other data sources;
2. Examined existing research on the impact of school leadership on student learning, as well as national reports on the state of school leadership preparation today and the need to strengthen preparation programs to improve student learning in schools; and
3. Considered existing and emerging federal, state, and district policies that inform how leadership preparation may contribute to a leadership continuum for aspiring, new, and experienced school leaders.

In February 2008, the School Leader Task Force released its report of recommendations (see http://www.ibhe.state.il.us/SchoolLeadership/FinalReport.pdf). Information about the task force, including materials from the meetings and task force membership, can be found at: http://www.ibhe.state.il.us/SchoolLeadership/default.htm

In an effort to inform stakeholders of the work of the School Leader Task Force, task force members have given presentations at the IPA Leadership Conference and at the ROE Superintendents Conference.