PROGRAM DETAILS (July 2009 - June 2011)

Application and References DUE April 6, 2009

Click here for recruitment letter and project description >

Click here to print a PDF of the following >

Purpose
The Philadelphia School Leadership Project (PSLP) is a collaborative effort between the School District of Philadelphia, Lehigh University, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), funded by the US Department of Education.  The goal of the program is to identify and train a cohort of highly skilled teachers who have the potential to become effective school leaders in high need Philadelphia high schools.  The cohort will have the opportunity to serve in an apprenticeship with exemplary principals while simultaneously taking graduate coursework to advance leadership skills.   PSLP provides a unique blend of theory and practice that is tailored to the district’s focus on instructional leadership.  At the end of the school year, successful participants will be eligible to apply for district site leadership vacancies.

Program Description
We are currently recruiting for participants in two nested programs:

• Aspiring Leaders (AL): This program provides administrative certification and leadership preparation, setting the foundation for effective site leadership through immersion in a school and mentoring by an experienced principal. Aspiring Leaders will earn a Pennsylvania principal certification and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership. Those who successfully complete the AL program and attain a leadership position in SDP will move into the Emerging Leaders (EL) program, described below.
• Developing Leaders (DL):this program provides intensive leadership development to individuals who already hold their principals’ certification by using intensive site experiences to apply and deepen their prior learning to the real-world challenges of leading instructional improvement. Individuals who complete this program and advance to a site leadership position will then advance to a third program for Emerging Leaders (EL), which will provide intensive leadership development, job-embedded induction support, and mentoring for their first year as a principal or assistant principal. Developing Leaders and Emerging Leaders will each earn 3 graduate credits that can be applied towards ACT 45.

Program Details

• Each candidate will be released from his/her classroom for a number of weeks throughout the year and assigned to work with an exemplary district principal. (AL – will be released 100 days over 2 school years, DL – 50 days over 1 school year) These principals will serve as advisors and will train, coach, supervise, and evaluate interns concerning their leadership potential.  Candidates will have the opportunity to assist with administrative work in the areas of instructional leadership, operational leadership, and working with parents/community.
• Candidates will attend courses co-developed and co-taught by faculty from the consortium including Lehigh University, The School District of Philadelphia, and NASSP.  The courses will be anchored in both the guiding standards and cross-cutting competencies, with discrete modules that address specific content areas, linking back to the focus on instructional leadership for change. The discrete modules will include: law, finance, technology, applied learning theory, action research, and organizational & leadership theory. Courses will be held one evening a week, usually from 4:30pm-9:00pm so that participants can maximize their time at their school sites and internship experiences. Those courses that include site visits will schedule several classes during candidates’ internship experiences. (Note:  Credits/coursework already earned through another credentialing program are not transferable to this program.)
• AL Candidates will be responsible to assume the costs of Lehigh University’s subsidized graduate tuition ($263.00 per credit) for 34 credits over 2 years and all expenses relating to books and supplies.
• DL Candidates will be responsible to assume the costs of Lehigh University’s subsidized graduate tuition ($263.00 per credit) for 3 credits over 1 year and all expenses relating to books and supplies.
• EL Candidates will be responsible to assume the costs of Lehigh University’s subsidized graduate tuition ($263.00 per credit) for 3 credits over 1 year and all expenses relating to books and supplies.
• AL Candidates will earn PA principal certification necessary for a site leadership assignment and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Lehigh University.

Application Information

Process
The application process is the same for the Aspiring Leaders and Developing Leaders programs. To be considered for an administrative internship in either program, candidates must:  Be recognized as an excellent teacher, have leadership potential, have participated in recent professional development activities, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, possess excellent human relations skills and demonstrate a strong desire to serve as a site leader at a high need Philadelphia high school.

The selection process is comprised of three components:

1. Applications will be paper screened.
2. Successful applicants will be asked to participate in an interview and writing sample.
3. Successful candidates of the interview round will contacted for a classroom instructional observation.

Requirements
The minimum requirements are slightly different for the Aspiring Leaders and Developing Leaders programs.

• Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to apply for the Aspiring Leaders program:
• Must have taught a minimum of five years in a full time, certificated teaching position
• Possess a valid PA teaching credential
• Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to apply for the Developing Leaders program:
• Must have taught a minimum of five years in a full time, certificated teaching position
• Possess a valid PA teaching credential
• Possess a valid PA principal certificate

(Proof of meeting these requirements must be presented by candidates who have successfully reached the final portion of the selection process.)

Applications
Click here to download a Microsoft Word guidelines file to follow>
Click here to download a Microsoft Word application file to complete >
Click here to download College of Education Application >
Click herer to download College of Education Clearance Form >

Program Expectations
By participating in the Aspiring Leaders or Developing Leaders program, candidates are committing to pursue and hold high school level site leadership positions in SDP for a period of three years. If candidates are offered a position within SDP and fail to accept the position, candidates will assume repayment of program costs.

Questions and Contact Information
Interested teachers should submit a complete application by
April 6, 2009 to:

Marcia Schulman
Philadelphia School Leadership Project
The School District of Philadelphia, Suite 210
440 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130