1. 1. Rationale. The Standards for Instructional Leaders build upon the knowledge and abilities developed at the Class A (master’s degree) level. Candidates in the Class AA Instructional Leadership programs will use their skills to create and practice successful instructional leadership. Class AA Instructional Leadership programs will rely on leadership experiences in school and school district settings to translate candidates’ leadership knowledge into sound leadership practices.  Implementation of the standards will be in the Alabama Continuous Improvement guidance.

2. 2. Unconditional Admission. Advanced certification for an Instructional Leader shall be at the Class AA level and shall ensure the following:

   1. a. All candidates must undergo a criminal history background check. See Rule 290-3-3-.03 (College and University Requirements).
   2. b. All candidates must hold a valid Alabama Class A Professional Leadership Certificate or a valid Alabama Class A Professional Educator Certificate in Instructional Leadership or one of the other Alabama Class A leadership certificate designations [Instructional Leader, Principal, Superintendent, Superintendent-Principal, Educational Administrator, Supervisor (any subject and/or grade level), Administrator of Career and Technical Education].

   3. c. Candidates must meet one of the following criteria:

      1. i. Be currently serving as a superintendent, assistant or associate superintendent, assistant to the superintendent, principal, assistant principal, supervisor (any subject and/or grade level), administrator of career and technical education, coordinator, or evaluator.
      2. ii. Document three years of employment in an instructional leadership position with proper certification. See Educator Certification Chapter (290-3-2) of the Alabama Administrative Code.
      3. iii. Demonstrate each of the abilities in the Class A Instructional Leadership standards prior to admission to the Class AA Instructional Leadership program or prior to completion of the Class AA Instructional Leadership program.

   4. d. Applicants who completed a Class A program other than a Class A Instructional Leadership program approved by the Alabama State Board of Education on or after September 8, 2005, must submit a portfolio which includes:

      1. i.   Three letters of recommendation.
      2. ii.  Most recent performance appraisals.
      3. iii. Evidence of ability to lead student achievement.
      4. iv.  Evidence of leadership and management potential.
      5. v.   Reasons for pursuing the Class AA certificate in Instructional Leadership.
   5. e. Applicants who completed a Class A program other than one approved by the State Board of Education on or after September 8, 2005, must pass an interview conducted by a program admission committee that includes both P-12 instructional leaders and instructional leadership faculty. (Questions in the interview should reflect a higher level of knowledge and ability than those used as part of the admission process for the Class A Instructional Leader program.)
   6. f. Individuals must be unconditionally admitted to the Class AA instructional leadership program or the institution’s Class AA teacher leader program before enrolling in any leadership courses in the Class AA instructional leadership program.

3. 3. Program Requirements. To provide a Class AA Instructional Leadership program, an institution must provide a Class A Instructional Leadership program. Each State-approved program must meet the following specifications:

   1. a. Curriculum. All Class AA programs in Instructional Leadership must include:

      1. i. At least 30 semester hours of course work at the education specialist level or above not used for prior-level certification requirements.
      2. ii. Periodic cohort or group focus sessions for member candidates to share problem-based concerns and successes and to collaborate on issues and solutions.
      3. iii. Meaningful P-12 school-based field experiences in any instructional leadership course.
      4. iv. Three to nine semester hours for problem-based experiences.
   2. b. Collaboration. All programs shall continue the EPP/LEA partnerships created for the Class A Instructional Leadership program that include joint candidate selection, curriculum design, mentoring, and planning for field experiences and problem-based activities.

   3. c. Content. The program content shall ensure the following:

      1. i. The core of the instructional content portion of the Class AA program shall be the Alabama Standards for Instructional Leaders. The content shall be an extension of instructional approaches used in the Class A Instructional Leadership programs. Content shall be related to the practice of sharing leadership at very high levels of expertise rather than focusing on observation and participation.
      2. ii. The core of instructional content shall be anchored in practical experiences.
      3. iii. Practical experiences shall be carefully planned and linked to at least one central instructional problem which will serve to focus the candidate’s research and problem-solving efforts.
      4. iv. Program content shall incorporate experiences that encourage candidates to engage in alternative ways of thinking about educational settings, planning, scheduling, and/or approaches to teaching to accomplish learning goals for student populations with ever-changing needs.
      5. v. The program shall include a significant content focus on adult learning theory. All candidates should develop a clear understanding of how adults learn and that schools are places where adults and students learn together.
      6. vi. Mentor training shall include understanding the mentor’s role, providing high-quality learning experiences, coaching, and feedback to new and experienced professional educators and other staff, and improving teacher performance using the Alabama Educator Effectiveness Process.
      7. vii. The program shall include significant content and practice in shared leadership. It should include opportunities for each candidate to understand and be able to implement leadership that is shared with all stakeholders in meaningful ways to support improved student learning.
      8. viii. The program shall include a focus on leadership for special education, English language learners, career and technical education, technology, pre-K programs, and adolescent literacy.

      9. ix. The program shall include study of content appropriate to the National Board Core Propositions for Accomplished Educational Leaders from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards:

         1. a. Skills.

            1. 1. Accomplished educational leaders continuously cultivate their understanding of leadership and the change process to meet high levels of performance.
            2. 2. Accomplished educational leaders have a clear vision and inspire and engage stakeholders in developing and realizing the mission.
            3. 3. Accomplished educational leaders manage and leverage systems and processes to achieve desired results.

         2. b. Applications.

            1. 1. Accomplished educational leaders act with a sense of urgency to foster a cohesive culture of learning.
            2. 2. Accomplished educational leaders are committed to student and adult learners and to their development.
            3. 3. Accomplished educational leaders drive, facilitate and monitor the teaching and learning process.

         3. c. Dispositions.

            1. 1. Accomplished educational leaders model professional, ethical behavior and expect it from others.
            2. 2. Accomplished educational leaders ensure learning opportunities and high expectations for all.
            3. 3. Accomplished educational leaders advocate on behalf of their schools, communities and profession.
      10. x. The program shall include content and practical experiences in leading change to include an understanding of school cultures and resistance to change.

4. 4. Requirements for Certification. Readiness to serve as a Class AA Instructional Leader shall include:

   1. a. A valid Class A Professional Educator Certificate in instructional leadership or one of the other Class A leadership certificate designations.
   2. b. An official transcript from an accredited institution documenting an earned education specialist degree with a minimum of 30 semester hours not used for prior-level certification or degree requirements. The institution must have been approved at the time of degree conferral.
   3. c. A Survey of Special Education course is required if not previously completed. The course may not be older than 10 years unless the candidate has teaching experience within the last 5 years, or he/she used the course for prior level certification.
   4. d. Satisfactory completion of a Class AA Instructional Leadership program approved by the Alabama State Board of Education with a minimum GPA of 3.25 on all courses in the program.
   5. e. Completion of mentor training.
   6. f. Completion of a problem analysis project.
5. 5. Testing for Class AA Certification for Instructional Leadership. Praxis assessment is only required for individuals who hold a previous leadership certificate for another grade span beside P-12; otherwise, no test is required.

6. 6. Faculty.

   1. a. In order to offer both Class A and Class AA programs in Instructional Leadership, the institution must employ at least three faculty members who are full-time to the institution, hold an earned doctorate in instructional leadership (educational administration) or a related field, and have a minimum of three years of experience as an assistant principal, principal, central office supervisor, assistant superintendent, or superintendent, or administrator of career and technical education, or any three years combination thereof.
   2. b.  An EPP may combine the work of two part-time faculty members whose combined workload equals one full-time position.

Author: Dr. Eric G. Mackey

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-3-16 and 16-23-14.

Editor’s Note: Previous Rule .45 was renumbered .43 per certification published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021.

History: New Rule: Filed January 9, 1997; effective February 13, 1997; operative July 1, 1997. Amended: Filed March 14, 2002; effective April 18, 2002. Amended: Filed December 12, 2002; effective January 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed September 11, 2003; effective October 16, 2003. Repealed and New Rule: Filed July 13, 2004; effective August 17, 2004. Repealed and New Rule: April 14, 2005; effective May 19, 2005. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 6, 2007; effective September 10, 2007. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 3, 2009; effective September 7, 2009; operative October 1, 2009. Amended: Filed June 15, 2012; effective July 20, 2012. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 13, 2015; effective September 17, 2015. Amended: Filed September 13, 2018; effective October 28, 2018; operative June 1, 2019. Repealed and New Rule: Published August 31, 2021; effective October 15, 2021. Repealed and New Rule: Published March 31, 2025; effective May 15, 2025.