Directions: Please read the background provided and then answer the questions that follow.
Background
There is a national priority set for both inspired and informed leadership in early learning. Many leaders recognize the lack of alignment between early childhood programs and the elementary school setting, citing differences in curriculum, standards and governance. Administrators also face challenges in coaching and crafting meaningful learning experiences for their staff.
The goal of Early Learning Administrator Leadership (ELAL) is to support educational leaders in utilizing instructional coaching, professional development (PD), and professional learning communities (PLCs) to leverage change in PreK-4 learning environments. To that end, the ELAL endorsement would:
- adhere to the PA Early Learning Standards, the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) competencies, and the PA Inspired Leadership (PIL) domains.
- describe best practices and key components for implementing Instructional Coaching, developing PD, and facilitating PLCs.
- articulate the importance high quality early childhood experiences, transition planning, and social and emotional development, in addition to how to foster an environment that utilizes developmentally appropriate practice and knowledge of child development to improve the learning outcomes for children.
The content is covered in a four-course sequence that can either be embedded within a masters’ degree program or as standalone coursework. For educators with a Level I or Level II Instructional Certification, completion of the four-course sequence would result in an endorsement.