Educator Services Career Advancement
Educator Leadership Development

The research on successful schools is clear that effective leadership is second only to classroom instruction as a factor for raising student achievement in schools. Massachusetts has many great leaders. Yet, we also know that the school leadership imperative is a growing one in MA and across the nation.

The Leadership Development unit works in concert with the other units in the Center for Educator Policy, Preparation, Licensure and Leadership Development, and across the ESE. To ensure that all of the Commonwealth's schools and districts are led by effective leaders-- The unit works to ensure coherent career long support for educator leader effectiveness in partnership with the state's districts, preparation programs, school leadership associations and other stakeholders.

Massachusetts Cohesive Leadership System Team (MCLS)
In the first several years of the decade, the Department mounted various efforts to address the looming leadership crisis through the Commonwealth School Leadership Project. Two years ago, guided by the vision of a more integrated statewide system, we began to focus our efforts on coordinating and building on those existing initiatives.

New Policy Standards for Principals, Superintendents, and Other Leadership Roles
In June 2009 the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted unanimously to approve new policy standards for education leaders that apply to all leadership roles at all stages. Based on a growing body of research on effective leadership, the standards are focused in core areas that have the highest positive impact on student achievement: Learning and Instruction, Management and Operations, Family and Community Partnerships, and Ethical and Reflective Leadership.

National Institute for School Leaders Executive Leadership Training Program (NISL)
The National Institute for School Leadership is a researched based executive leadership program designed to assist school districts across the state with leadership development efforts. NISL is the centerpiece for the Commonwealth's leadership development efforts.

Executive Leadership Program for Educators (ExEL)
ExEL is a multi-year collaborative effort of the Harvard Business School, Graduate School of Education, and the John F. Kennedy School of Government (2008-2010). The project is providing opportunities for leadership teams from school districts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to work together to bring high quality teaching and learning to scale.