The Indiana Principal Leadership Institute (IPLI) at Indiana State University’s Bayh College of Education announced that applications are available for the second class, which will begin next summer.
The Indiana Principal Leadership Institute is a two-year experience designed to address the professional needs of Indiana public school principals with an emphasis on student success. The institute will increase a principal’s capacity to address the current needs of their school, such as teacher evaluation models, student performance, community involvement and shaping a strong school culture.
Fifty principals are invited to participate in the second class. Working in small groups, the principals focus on developing and implementing personal and school improvement plans, facilitating action research projects at each school, refining school improvement plans and building a network of other principals to gain support during and beyond the institute experience.
Fifty-seven principals are currently members of IPLI’s inaugural cohort, which launched last summer at Indiana State University. These principals, who work at the elementary, middle and high school levels, already are moving forward on action research projects. These projects include: increasing classroom observations; increasing teacher collaboration time; working with teachers to utilize peer observations to improve their practice; initiating e-learning initiatives; improving communication with all stakeholders through social media and weekly newsletters; and, implementing ten-minute in-service ideas.
“Using an approach that is collaborative, research-based, and results-oriented, we are committed to improving Indiana schools,” said Linda Marrs-Morford, director, IPLI. “In just five months, the members of our first class are taking what they are learning at IPLI and applying it at the building level. The work of our principals and mentors has the potential to extend far beyond the confines of our cohorts, to positively impact teachers, students, and communities in our state and nation.”
All IPLI principals are guided by mentors, who are established and respected educators in their communities. Eleven Hoosier educators currently are serving as mentors to the members of the inaugural class. They were selected through a collaborative effort between Indiana State University and the Indiana Association of School Principals.
Principals interested in applying for the second class should apply online at www.indianapli.org. Their responsibilities include attending five seminars each year. A one-time financial contribution of $1,000 from the school corporation is required for participation, as it cements both the commitment of the principal and superintendent to the program. Nominating a principal implies the superintendent and school board think the principal has the potential to improve their school, are supportive of positive change in the school and will allow data collection to occur.
In addition to the targeted work with each cohort, IPLI is committed to serving as a resource for all Indiana principals, their schools and their school communities. This includes sharing research, providing access to leadership assessments, and offering tools to develop action research plans. IPLI’s website, www.indianapli.org, serves as the clearinghouse for this information.
The Indiana Principal Leadership Institute at Indiana State University was created by bipartisan legislation authored by Sens. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) and Dennis Kruse (R-Auburn). It was co-sponsored by Sens. Tim Skinner (D-Terre Haute), Earline Rogers (D-Gary) and Lindel Hume (D-Princeton) and Reps. Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute), Alan Morrison (R-Terre Haute), Wendy McNamara (R-Mount Vernon), Kreg Battles (D-Vincennes), Sue Errington (D-Muncie), and Clyde Kersey (D-Terre Haute). Gov. Mike Pence approved the legislation in May.
To learn more about the Indiana Principal Leadership Institute, visit indianapli.org.
