Meeting of the Board of Regents | July 2008

Executive Summary

Issue for Decision

Approval of a $3,000,000 two-year grant to The University of the State of New York.

Reason(s) for Consideration

The purpose of this grant is to engage State and national experts to continue implementing a Cohesive Leadership System, including the completion of a comprehensive system of career-long education and training based on new leadership standards. The new leadership standards, using the revised Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium standards and other best examples, are being created through the existing grant. Through the new grant, we will transform leadership education preparation programs, establish professional development programs through leadership academies focused on teaching and learning, and create school leader performance evaluations. These leadership academies will reflect the leadership standards and research-based professional development practices to improve student achievement and will be an integral component of the State’s school improvement strategy. The first academy will be initiated in the first year of the grant. The focus will be to strengthen school leaders in the highest need school districts. Once this system is created, it is our intent to sustain it through redirecting existing or new state and federal funds.

Proposed Handling

Decision

Recommendation

That the Board of Regents accept the sum of $3,000,000 from the Wallace Foundation to further the work of the P-16 Education Leadership Initiative.