Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL)

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Intermediate Unit 1 offers various staff development opportunities for principals or teachers interested in becoming principals. These programs aim to serve the many different needs of principals and are appropriate for principals at various stages in their development. Current offerings include:

• Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership Programs (PIL)
  • PIL-Grow Program
  • PIL-Support Program
• Principals' Academy
• Virtual Internet Coaching (VIC) for Principals

Availability permitting, a principal may participate in any program that suits his/her needs. It is recommended that principals only participate in one program at a time, enabling him or her to gain the ultimate benefit from each program.

For more information on IU1 staff development opportunities for principals, contact:

Patricia K. Hazen
Public Relations and Resource Support Specialist
724-938-3241 ext. 235

Downloads

• How PIL Affects Principals (8.3 MB)

Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL)

The Pennsylvania Inspired Leadership (PIL) Initiative offers the following professional development programs to school leaders. The Grow Program is for principals and assistant principals with three years or less of experience. The Support Program is for experienced principals and other school administrators. Each program focuses on developing strategic thinking, standards-based systems, and making data informed decisions.

PIL - Grow Program

The Grow Program, a cohort-based program, uses the National Institute for School Leadership (NISL) curriculum developed by the National Center for Education and the Economy (NCEE). The curriculum is delivered in 25 all-day sessions spread out over two years and focuses on:

• The Educational Challenge
• Principal as Strategic Thinker, School Designer, Driver of Change, Team Builder, and Ethical Leader
• Standards-Based Instructional Systems
• Foundations of Effective Teaching
• Principal as Instructional Leader
• Leadership for Excellence in Literacy and Math
• Promoting Professional Knowledge
• Leading for Results

Appropriate For: Principals and assistant principals with three or less years of experience.

Cost: There is no cost to the participants; tuition is paid by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

PIL - Support Program

The Support Program uses the Pennsylvania-adapted curriculum based on the Total Leaders Framework developed by Chuck Schwahn and the Pennsylvania Leadership Development Council (PLDC). The challenging curriculum is delivered in seven days spread out over a year in cohorts of approximately 25 participants.

The curriculum is designed to facilitate collegial networking and create a systemic view of education and leadership.

Appropriate For: Principals, assistant superintendents, and superintendents with more than three years of experience.

Cost: There is no cost to the participants; tuition is paid by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Principals' Academy

The Principals' Academy assists principals in acquiring and refining the skills needed to provide administrative and instructional leadership. Set in an environment of collegial interaction, the Academy offers a series of practical experiences and seminars. Principals meet eight times throughout a one-year period.

Academy topics include:

• Differentiated supervision and professional development tools
• Establishing an intense focus for teaching and learning
• Collaboration and learning communities
• Best teaching practices
• Diversity, the achievement gap, and differentiated instruction
• Organizational dynamics
• Academic rigor and authentic pedagogy
• Improving student performance

Appropriate For: Principals and assistant principals at all levels.

Cost: The cost of this program is supplemented through funding from the Benedum Foundation. Districts pay a small fee per principal.

Resources for Principals

• Professional Organizations for Principals
• Teacher Improvement Plan Consultant
• Focusing Questions on Six Components of SAS
• Public Relations for Principals
  • District/School Fact Sheet
  • Planning an Event Guide
  • Planning an Event Checklist
  • Letter to the Local Media
  • Writing Effective Press Releases
  • Getting Your Press Release Read
  • Sample Press Release #1
  • Sample Press Release #2
• Good to Great Files
  • Chapter 19 - The 90/90/90 Schools: A Case Study
  • Good to Great Summary
  • Improving Achievement and Closing Gaps Between Groups : Data Resources and Hints (1.9 MB)
  • Driving, Teaching and Learning From Good to Great (Pie Chart)
  • National Principals Initiative : Improving Achievement and Closing Gaps Between Groups (1.3 MB)
  • Tonight
• Walkthrough: an organized tour through the school using "Look Fors" to focus on elements of effective instruction and learning.
  • Zip File (155 MB)
  • Individual files:
    • Walkthrough Observations and Presentations
      • Protocol for Group Debriefing
      • Creating an Intense Focus for Teaching and Learning
      • Engaging Faculty in Identifying an Intense Instructional Focus
      • Questions
      • Walkthroughs: One Vehicle to Promote Student Learning (4.8 MB)
    • Walkthrough Simulation
      • Good Work
      • Rubric
      • Walkthrough Observation Simulation
      • Walkthrough Simulation 1b (8.8 MB)
      • Walkthrough Simulation - Draft (17.5 MB)
      • Walkthru
      • What's Good Work?
      • When I Walk With You (3.8 MB)
• Tools for Teacher Observation/Evaluation
  • Improvement Plan
  • Observation Rubric

Virtual Internet Coach (VIC)

VIC is an online program originating from Duquesne University under the leadership of Bob Furman. It offers principals support and resources in answering day-to-day questions regarding procedural, legal, and pedagogical issues. It also offers access to a professional library with search capability, commonly needed form letters, and research abstracts related to teacher evaluation criterion.

The principal is provided with daily access to Virtual Internet Coaches. He/she simply submits a description of a problem for which he/she would like assistance. Within 24 hours, the principal receives a written recommendation from the VIC consultant most qualified to help. VIC consultants include: retired principals, school solicitors, school financial officers, curriculum coordinators, and human resource managers.

Appropriate For: Principals at all levels.

Cost: VIC, currently in a pilot phase, is funded through the Benedum Foundation.