Section 1217. Pennsylvania School Leadership Standards.--(a) Programs provided under section 1205.5(c) and (d) to prepare school or system leaders and for purposes of issuing administrator certificates or letters of eligibility and approved programs for the induction and continuing professional education of school or system leaders shall address:
(1) The following core standards:
(i) The knowledge and skills to think and plan strategically to create an organizational vision around personalized student success.
(ii) An understanding of standards-based systems theory and design and the ability to transfer that knowledge to the school or system leader's job as the architect of standards-based reform in the school.
(iii) The ability to access and use appropriate data to inform decision-making at all levels of the system.
(iv) Understanding the impact of trauma on a child's educational experience, the school's culture, climate and demographics and the community as a whole and applying trauma-informed approaches to inform decision-making at all levels of the system. ((iv) added June 28, 2019, P.L.146, No.18)
(2) The following corollary standards:
(i) Creating a culture of teaching and learning with an emphasis on learning, including teaching and learning in manufacturing and career and technical fields. ((i) amended Oct. 30, 2019, P.L.460, No.76)
(ii) Managing resources for effective results.
(iii) Collaborating, communicating, engaging and empowering others inside and outside of the organization to pursue excellence in learning.
(iv) Operating in a fair and equitable manner with personal and professional integrity.
(v) Advocating for children and public education in the larger political, social, economic, legal and cultural context.
(vi) Supporting professional growth of self and others through practice and inquiry.
((a) amended Oct. 22, 2014, P.L.2624, No.168)
(b) The State Board of Education may promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.
(c) For the purpose of this section, the term "school or system leader" shall mean an individual who serves on a certificate as a principal, vice principal, assistant principal, director or assistant director of an area career and technical school, superintendent, assistant superintendent, intermediate unit executive director or assistant intermediate unit executive director, which includes those serving on a commission qualification letter issued by the Department of Education pursuant to section 1003(b.2). ((c) amended July 12, 2026, P.L.220, No.20)
(1217 added July 20, 2007, P.L.278, No.45)