NISL Executive Development Program

The NISL Executive Development Program is a professional development intervention designed for school principals to enhance their leadership capabilities in improving student achievement. The program targets elementary, middle, and elementary-middle school principals and consists of four courses: World-Class Schooling (Principal as a Strategic Thinker and School Designer, Standards-Based Instruction); Teaching and Learning; Developing Capacity and Commitment; and Driving for Results. The curriculum was designed by experts across multiple fields, reflecting an $11 million investment and five years of research and piloting. Training is delivered through a blended format combining online and face-to-face instruction, using simulations, case studies, school evaluations, self-assessments, pre-work assignments, and application activities. Principals who participated in Cohort 2 began the program in 2007 and completed it while remaining at the same school through 2010. The program costs approximately $4,000 per participating principal.