52.21(c)(1) General Requirements for All Programs Preparing Education Leaders.

1. Program providers. Programs for the preparation of education leaders shall be graduate programs offered by institutions of higher education, or by institutions of higher education collaborating with school districts or with educational or leadership associations.

(ii) Conceptual framework. Programs shall demonstrate a commitment to:

(a) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who understand child and adolescent development and learning and who focus on student achievement, including meeting State learning standards;

(b) Recruiting candidates from groups historically underrepresented in educational leadership; and

(c) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who demonstrate the following nine essential characteristics of effective leaders:

(1) Leaders know and understand what it means and what it takes to be a leader;

(2) Leaders have a vision for schools that they constantly share and promote;

(3) Leaders communicate clearly and effectively;

(4) Leaders collaborate and cooperate with others;

(5) Leaders persevere and take the long view;

(6) Leaders support, develop and nurture staff;

(7) Leaders hold themselves and others responsible and accountable;

(iii) External relationships. Programs shall establish and maintain formal relationships with distinguished practitioners and scholars in the field of education and in other fields, such as business or the professions, for the purposes of program development, leadership preparation, program evaluation, and program improvement.

(iv) Other requirements.

(a) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, in accordance with section 3004 of the Education Law. Such course work or training shall include but not be limited to, study in the warning signs within a developmental and social context that relate to violence and other troubling behaviors in children; the statutes, regulations and policies relating to a safe nonviolent school climate; effective classroom management techniques and other academic supports that promote a nonviolent school climate and enhance learning; the integration of social and problem solving skill development for students within the regular curriculum; intervention techniques designed to address a school violence situation; and how to participate in an effective school/community referral process for students exhibiting violent behavior.

(b) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, in accordance with the requirements of sections 3003 and 3004 of the Education Law.

52.21(c)(2) School Building Leader. Specific requirements for programs preparing candidates for the initial certificate as a school building leader (principal, housemaster, supervisor, department chair, assistant principal, coordinator, unit head, and any other person serving more than 10 periods per week of the assignment in an administrative or supervisory position, except school district leader or school district business leader).

(ii) Admission requirements.

(a) Programs shall require candidates to hold a baccalaureate from an accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees;

(b) Programs shall require candidates to possess a permanent or professional certificate in the classroom teaching service or pupil personnel service, or to demonstrate the potential for instructional leadership based on prior experiences that are evaluated using criteria established by the program and uniformly applied;* and

(c) Programs shall require candidates to demonstrate the potential to become education leaders possessing the nine essential characteristics of effective leaders as a result of their prior experiences, including experiences as a teacher, administrator, or pupil personnel service provider.

(iv) Content requirements.* Programs shall require candidates to complete studies sufficient to demonstrate, upon program completion, the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the following:

(a) Develop and implement an educational vision, or build and sustain an existing one, for assisting all students to meet State learning standards;

(b) Collaboratively identify goals and objectives for achieving the educational vision, seeking and valuing diverse perspectives and alternative points of view, and building understanding through direct and precise questioning;

(c) Communicate and work effectively with parents, staff, students, community leaders, and other community members from diverse backgrounds, providing clear, accurate written and spoken information that publicizes the school’s goals, expectations, and performance results, and builds support for improving student achievement;

(d) Lead comprehensive, long-range planning, informed by multiple data sources, to determine the present state of the school, identify root causes of problems, propose solutions, and validate improvements with regard to all aspects of the school, including but not limited to:

(1) curriculum development;

(2) instructional strategies and the integration of technology;

(3) classroom organization and practices;

(4) assessment;

(5) student support services, including the provision of services to students with disabilities (and students who are English language learners);

(6) professional support and development;

(7) succession planning;

(8) student, family, and community relations;

(9) facilities development; and

(10) planning with colleges for providing curricula and experiences for college students preparing to become educators that will enhance their learning and the learning of the school’s students;

(e) Effect any needed educational change through ethical decision-making based upon factual analysis, even in the face of opposition;

(v) Leadership experiences.

(a) Programs shall require candidates to successfully complete leadership experiences that shall:

(1) include leadership experiences in districts serving students at different developmental levels and with a variety of characteristics and socioeconomic backgrounds;

(2) be carefully selected and planned by program faculty in collaboration with school district leaders, with learning outcomes specified that are connected to program competencies and with the achievement of those outcomes regularly evaluated by program faculty; and

(3) be supervised by certified school district leaders and by program faculty who have preparation and expertise in supervision related to school building leadership.

(b) The leadership experiences specified in clause (a) of this subparagraph shall occur throughout the program of study. In addition, they shall culminate in a full-time experience of at least 15 weeks that is structured to provide leadership responsibilities of increasing breadth and depth.

(c) Alternatively, the leadership experiences specified in clause (a) of this subparagraph may occur in a competency-based format different from that prescribed in clause (b) of this subparagraph, provided that the program demonstrates that such format is substantially equivalent to the format prescribed in clause (b) of this subparagraph.

(vi) Requirements for program completion and recommendation for initial certificate.

(a) Candidates shall have met all program requirements established by the institution of higher education and required for program registration;

(b) Candidates who have not earned a master’s degree prior to admission shall qualify for a master’s degree upon program completion.

52.21(c)(6) Institutional Accountability.

(i) Regular program evaluations by the institution. Institutions shall be accountable for the quality of their programs leading to certification of education leaders and the candidates who complete such programs, and shall demonstrate that their programs are evaluated regularly and that such evaluations are considered for making program improvements.

(ii) Candidate performance on New York State Teacher Certification Examinations.

(a) The department shall conduct a registration review in the event that fewer than 80 percent of the students who have satisfactorily completed the institution's program preparing school building leaders during a given academic year and have also completed the examination required for a school building leadership certificate pass such examination. For purposes of this clause, students who have satisfactorily completed the institution’s program shall mean students who have met each educational requirement of the program, excluding any institutional requirements that the students pass the required examination for a school building leader certificate in order to complete the program. Students satisfactorily meeting each educational requirement may include students who earn a degree or students who complete each educational requirement without earning a degree. For determining this percentage, the department shall consider the performance on each certification examination of those students completing an examination not more than five years before the end of the academic year in which the program is completed or not later than the September 30th following the end of such academic year, academic year defined as July 1st through June 30th, and shall consider only the highest score of individuals taking a test more than once.

(b) The registration review initiated by not meeting the percentage prescribed in clause (a) of this subparagraph shall require the institution to submit a corrective action plan within four months of being notified by the department of not meeting the percentage. If the department approves the plan, the department shall define a timeframe for its implementation and shall assess the effectiveness of the plan within three years of initiation of the plan. If the department does not approve the plan or determines that the institution is not meeting the terms of the plan, and determines that the institution is not meeting the other requirements of this Part, the institution shall be subject to denial of re-registration.

(c) By January 15, 2007, and annually by January 15th thereafter, each institution with registered programs preparing school building leaders shall provide the department with a list of all students who satisfactorily completed each such program in the preceding year, July 1 through June 30.

(iii) Accreditation.

(a) The accreditation requirements of clause (b) of this subparagraph shall be met by December 31, 2013, for programs leading to certification as school building leaders, school district leaders, or school district business leaders, except for such programs registered for the first time after December 31, 2006, in which case the accreditation requirements shall be met within seven years of the date of first registration.

(b) Programs shall be accredited by either:

(1) a professional education accrediting association determined by the department to have equivalent standards to the standards set forth in this Part; or

(2) the Regents pursuant to the Regents accreditation process.

52.21(c)(1 ) General Requirements for All Programs Preparing Education Leaders.

(i) Program providers. Programs for the preparation of education leaders shall be graduate programs offered by institutions of higher education, or by institutions of higher education collaborating with school districts or with educational, (social service, public service,) or leadership associations.

(ii) Conceptual framework. Programs shall demonstrate a commitment to:

(a) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who understand child and adolescent development and learning and who focus on student achievement, including meeting State learning standards;

(b) Recruiting candidates from groups historically underrepresented in educational leadership; and

(c) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who demonstrate the following nine essential characteristics of effective leaders:

(1) Leaders know and understand what it means and what it takes to be a leader;

(2) Leaders have a vision for schools that they constantly share and promote;

(3) Leaders communicate clearly and effectively;

(4) Leaders collaborate and cooperate with others;

(5) Leaders persevere and take the long view;

(6) Leaders support, develop and nurture staff;

(7) Leaders hold themselves and others responsible and accountable;

(iii) External relationships. Programs shall establish and maintain formal relationships with distinguished practitioners and scholars in the field of education and in other fields, such as business or the professions, for the purposes of program development, leadership preparation, program evaluation, and program improvement.

(iv) Other requirements.

(a) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, in accordance with section 3004 of the Education Law. Such course work or training shall include but not be limited to, study in the warning signs within a developmental and social context that relate to violence and other troubling behaviors in children; the statutes, regulations and policies relating to a safe nonviolent school climate; effective classroom management techniques and other academic supports that promote a nonviolent school climate and enhance learning; the integration of social and problem solving skill development for students within the regular curriculum; intervention techniques designed to address a school violence situation; and how to participate in an effective school/community referral process for students exhibiting violent behavior.

(b) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, in accordance with the requirements of sections 3003 and 3004 of the Education Law.

52.21(c)(3) School District Leader. Specific requirements for programs preparing candidates for the professional certificate as a school district leader (superintendent of schools, district superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent, and any other person having responsibility for general district-wide administration, except those responsibilities defined for school district business leaders).

(ii) Admission requirements.

(a) Programs shall require candidates to hold a baccalaureate from an accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees;

(b) Programs shall require candidates to possess a permanent or professional certificate in the classroom teaching service or pupil personnel service, or to demonstrate the potential for instructional leadership based on prior experiences that are evaluated using criteria established by the program and uniformly applied; and

(c) Programs shall require candidates to demonstrate the potential to become education leaders possessing the nine essential characteristics of effective leaders as a result of their prior experiences, including experiences as a teacher, administrator, or pupil personnel service provider.

(iii) Credit for prior learning. Programs may grant graduate credit for prior learning, as determined through assessment, and develop individual plans of study to assist candidates in acquiring all prescribed knowledge and skills. Programs shall state on a candidate’s academic record all graduate credit that the program has granted for prior learning determined to be equivalent to a content requirement of the program.

(iv) Content requirements.* Programs shall require candidates to complete studies sufficient to demonstrate, upon program completion, the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the responsibilities of the chief executive officer and instructional leader of a school district, including but not limited to the following:

(a) Design and execute district-wide systems to promote higher levels of student achievement;

(b) Develop and implement an educational vision, or build and sustain an existing one, to assist all district students, pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle level, and high school, in meeting State learning standards;

(c) Interact and communicate effectively with school board members in developing and implementing district policies, managing change, and managing district affairs;

(d) Create the conditions necessary to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for all students and staff;

(e) Collaboratively identify goals and objectives for achieving the educational vision, seeking and valuing diverse perspectives and alternative points of view, and building understanding through direct and precise questioning;

(f) Communicate and work effectively with parents, students, building and district leaders, teachers, support staff, state leaders, community leaders, and other community members from diverse backgrounds, providing clear, accurate written and spoken information that publicizes the district’s goals, expectations, and performance results, and builds support for improving student achievement;

(g) Develop building and district staff capability for addressing learning needs of all district students by effective support, supervision and evaluation of teachers, school building leaders, and district leaders, by effective staff assignments, support, and mentoring, and by providing staff with opportunities for continuous personal and professional development;

(h) Lead comprehensive, long-range planning, informed by multiple data sources, to determine the present state of the district, identify root causes of problems, propose solutions, and validate improvements with regard to all aspects of the district, including but not limited to:

(1) curriculum development;

(2) instructional strategies and the integration of technology;

(3) classroom organization and practices;

(5) student support services, including the provision of services to students with disabilities (and students who are English language learners);

(6) professional support and development;

(7) succession planning;

(8) student, family, and community relations;

(9) facilities development; and

(10) planning with colleges for providing curricula and experiences for college students preparing to become educators that will enhance their learning and the learning of the district’s students;

(i) Effect any needed educational change through ethical decision-making based upon factual analysis, even in the face of opposition;

(j) Establish accountability systems for achieving educational goals and objectives;

(k) Set a standard for ethical behavior by example, encouraging initiative, innovation, collaboration, mutual respect, and a strong work ethic;

(l) Supervise establishment of a district budget and the management of district finances and facilities to support achievement of educational goals and objectives;

(m) Interact and communicate effectively with local, state, and federal representatives, applying statutes and regulations as required by law, and implementing school policies in accordance with law; and

(n) Maintain a personal plan for self-improvement and continuous learning.

(v) Leadership experiences.

(a) Programs shall require candidates to successfully complete leadership experiences that shall:

(1) include leadership experiences in districts serving students at different developmental levels and with a variety of characteristics and socioeconomic backgrounds;

(2) be carefully selected and planned by program faculty in collaboration with school district leaders, with learning outcomes specified that are connected to program competencies and with the achievement of those outcomes regularly evaluated by program faculty;

(3) be supervised by certified school district leaders and by program faculty who have preparation and expertise in supervision related to school district leadership;

(b) The leadership experiences specified in clause (a) of this subparagraph shall occur throughout the program of study. In addition, they shall culminate in a full-time experience of at least 15 weeks that is structured to provide leadership responsibilities of increasing breadth and depth.

(c) Alternatively, the leadership experiences specified in clause (a) of this subparagraph may occur in a competency-based format different from that prescribed in clause (b) of this subparagraph, provided that the program demonstrates that such format is substantially equivalent to the format prescribed in (b) of this subparagraph.

(vi) Requirements for program completion and recommendation for professional certificate.

(a) Candidates shall have successfully met all program requirements established by the institution of higher education and requirements for program registration;

(b) Candidates who have not earned a master’s degree prior to admission shall qualify for a master’s degree upon program completion, and shall have successfully completed 60 semester hours of graduate study that may include graduate study completed prior to admission and the graduate study required to develop knowledge and skills for school district leadership, as specified in the program’s content requirements; and

(c) Candidates shall have completed successfully the written and performance components of the State assessment in school district leadership.

52.21(c)(6) Institutional Accountability.

(i) Regular program evaluations by the institution. Institutions shall be accountable for the quality of their programs leading to certification of education leaders and the candidates who complete such programs, and shall demonstrate that their programs are evaluated regularly and that such evaluations are considered for making program improvements.

(iii) Accreditation.

1. The accreditation requirements of clause (b) of this subparagraph shall be met by December 31, 2013, for programs leading to certification as school building leaders, school district leaders, or school district business leaders, except for such programs registered for the first time after December 31, 2006, in which case the accreditation requirements shall be met within seven years of the date of first registration.

(b) Programs shall be accredited by either:

(1) a professional education accrediting association determined by the department to have equivalent standards to the standards set forth in this Part; or

(2) the Regents pursuant to the Regents accreditation process.

52.21(c)(1) General Requirements for All Programs Preparing Education Leaders.

(i) Program providers. Programs for the preparation of education leaders shall be graduate programs offered by institutions of higher education, or by institutions of higher education collaborating with school districts or with educational, (social service, public service,) or leadership associations.

(ii) Conceptual framework. Programs shall demonstrate a commitment to:

(a) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who understand child and adolescent development and learning and who focus on student achievement, including meeting State learning standards;

(b) Recruiting candidates from groups historically underrepresented in educational leadership; and

(c) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who demonstrate the following nine essential characteristics of effective leaders:

(1) Leaders know and understand what it means and what it takes to be a leader;

(2) Leaders have a vision for schools that they constantly share and promote;

(3) Leaders communicate clearly and effectively;

(4) Leaders collaborate and cooperate with others;

(5) Leaders persevere and take the long view;

(6) Leaders support, develop and nurture staff;

(7) Leaders hold themselves and others responsible and accountable;

(iii) External relationships. Programs shall establish and maintain formal relationships with distinguished practitioners and scholars in the field of education and in other fields, such as business or the professions, for the purposes of program development, leadership preparation, program evaluation, and program improvement.

(iv) Other requirements.

(a) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, in accordance with section 3004 of the Education Law. Such course work or training shall include but not be limited to, study in the warning signs within a developmental and social context that relate to violence and other troubling behaviors in children; the statutes, regulations and policies relating to a safe nonviolent school climate; effective classroom management techniques and other academic supports that promote a nonviolent school climate and enhance learning; the integration of social and problem solving skill development for students within the regular curriculum; intervention techniques designed to address a school violence situation; and how to participate in an effective school/community referral process for students exhibiting violent behavior.

(b) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, in accordance with the requirements of sections 3003 and 3004 of the Education Law.

52.21(c)(4) Alternative School District Leader Certification Program. Specific requirements for programs preparing candidates for the professional certificate as a school district leader (superintendent of schools, district superintendent, deputy superintendent, associate superintendent, assistant superintendent, and any other person having responsibility for general district-wide administration, except those responsibilities defined for school district business leaders). Such alternative programs are for exceptionally qualified candidates who do not have three years of classroom teaching service, and/or pupil personnel service, and/or educational leadership service.

(ii) Admission requirements. Programs shall require candidates to demonstrate the potential to become education leaders possessing the nine essential characteristics of effective leaders as a result of the candidates’ prior service for at least three years in an exemplary fashion in a leadership position in an organization or organizations that demonstrated strong performance. The criteria for admission shall include the following:

(a) Degrees. Programs shall require candidates to hold a graduate degree (academic or professional) from an accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees.

(b) Demonstrated potential through prior leadership experiences. Programs shall describe in detail the criteria that will be used and uniformly applied to identify exceptionally qualified candidates with the substantial equivalent of three years of experience as a teacher, administrator, or pupil personnel service provider in schools. Through this equivalent prior experience, candidates shall demonstrate the following accomplishments:

(1) Developed and promoted a vision for an organization;

(2) Collaboratively identified goals and objectives for achieving that vision;

(3) Communicated effectively to promote goals;

(4) Led comprehensive, long-range planning, informed by multiple data sources, for achieving goals;

(5) Effected any needed change through ethical decision making based upon factual analysis, even in the face of opposition;

(6) Established accountability for achieving goals and objectives;

(7) Developed staff capability for their roles in achieving goals;

(8) Supervised establishment of a budget supporting achievement of goals;

(9) Supervised the management of finances and facilities to support achievement of goals; and

(10) Applied statutes and regulations in accordance with law, and developed and implement policies in accordance with law.

(iii) Requirements for recommending candidates for transitional D certificates.

(a) The program may recommend that the department issue transitional D certificates to admitted candidates who also meet the following requirements:

(1) Written commitment. Candidates shall hold a written commitment from a school district or BOCES for district-mentored and college-supervised employment as a school district leader, with mentoring of candidates for superintendent of schools to be provided by the regional BOCES District Superintendent or the New York City Regional Superintendent, or a superintendent identified by the regional BOCES District Superintendent or New York City Regional Superintendent, subject to the approval of the employing authorities;

(2) Program Endorsement. Candidates shall have the program’s endorsement for the transitional D certificate, including the program’s description of how the candidate met each criterion used by the program to determine that the candidate had exceptional qualifications for becoming a school district leader with the substantial equivalent of three years of experience as a teacher, administrator, or pupil personnel provider in schools; and

(3) State Assessment. Candidates shall pass the written component of the State assessment in school district leadership.

(b) While serving as a school district leader under a transitional D certificate, candidates shall complete all remaining program requirements.

(iv) Credit for prior learning. Programs may grant graduate credit for prior learning, as determined through assessment, and develop individual plans of study to assist candidates in acquiring all prescribed knowledge and skills. Programs shall state on a candidate’s academic record all graduate credit that the program has granted for prior learning determined to be equivalent to a content requirement of the program.

(v) Content requirements.*

(a) Programs preparing school district leaders shall require candidates to complete studies sufficient to demonstrate, upon program completion, the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the following functions of the chief executive officer and instructional leader of a school district:

(1) Design and execute district-wide systems to promote higher levels of student achievement;

(2) Develop and implement an educational vision, or build and sustain an existing one, to assist all district students, pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle level, and high school, in meeting State learning standards;

(3) Interact and communicate effectively with school board members in developing and implementing district policies, managing change, and managing district affairs;

(4) Create the conditions necessary to provide a safe, healthy, and supportive learning environment for all students and staff;

(5) Collaboratively identify goals and objectives for achieving the educational vision, seeking and valuing diverse perspectives and alternative points of view, and building understanding through direct and precise questioning;

(6) Communicate and work effectively with parents, students, building and district leaders, teachers, support staff, state leaders, community leaders, and other community members from diverse backgrounds, providing clear, accurate written and spoken information that publicizes the district’s goals, expectations, and performance results, and builds support for improving student achievement;

(7) Develop building and district staff capability for addressing learning needs of all district students by effective support, supervision and evaluation of teachers, school building leaders, and district leaders, by effective staff assignments, support, and mentoring, and by providing staff with opportunities for continuous personal and professional development;

(vi) Leadership experiences. Programs shall require candidates to successfully complete one of the following types of leadership experiences:

(a) One year of district-mentored and college-supervised employment as a school district leader serving with a transitional D certificate; or

(b) Leadership experiences that shall:

(1) include leadership experiences in districts serving students at different developmental levels and with a variety of characteristics and socioeconomic backgrounds;

(2) be carefully selected and planned by program faculty in collaboration with school district leaders, with learning outcomes specified that are connected to program competencies and with the achievement of those competencies regularly evaluated by program faculty; and

(3) be supervised by certified school district leaders and by program faculty who have preparation and expertise in supervision related to school district leadership.

(c) The leadership experiences specified in clause (b) of this subparagraph shall occur throughout the program of study. In addition, they shall culminate in a full-time experience of at least 15 weeks that is structured to provide leadership responsibilities of increasing breadth and depth.

(d) Alternatively, the leadership experiences specified in clause (b) of this subparagraph may occur in another competency-based format different from that prescribed in clause (c) of this subparagraph provided that the program demonstrates that such format is substantially equivalent to the format prescribed in clause (c) of this subparagraph.

(vii) Requirements for program completion.

(a) Candidates shall have successfully met all program requirements established by the institution and requirements for program registration;

(b) Candidates shall have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours of graduate study that may include graduate study completed prior to admission and the graduate study required to develop knowledge and skills for school district leadership, as specified in the program’s content requirements; and

(c) Candidates shall have successfully completed the written and performance components of the State assessment in school district leadership.

(viii) Requirements for recommending candidates for professional certificates.

(a) Candidates shall meet all requirements for program completion; and

(b) Candidates shall have successfully completed at least one year of service with a transitional D certificate, or shall have a written commitment for employment as a school district leader in New York State.

52.21(c)(6) Institutional Accountability.

(i) Regular program evaluations by the institution. Institutions shall be accountable for the quality of their programs leading to certification of education leaders and the candidates who complete such programs, and shall demonstrate that their programs are evaluated regularly and that such evaluations are considered for making program improvements.

(iii) Accreditation.

(a) The accreditation requirements of clause (b) of this subparagraph shall be met by December 31, 2013, for programs leading to certification as school building leaders, school district leaders, or school district business leaders, except for such programs registered for the first time after December 31, 2006, in which case the accreditation requirements shall be met within seven years of the date of first registration.

(b) Programs shall be accredited by either:

(1) a professional education accrediting association determined by the department to have equivalent standards to the standards set forth in this Part; or

(2) the Regents pursuant to the Regents accreditation process.

52.21(c)(1 ) General Requirements for All Programs Preparing Education Leaders.

(i) Program providers. Programs for the preparation of education leaders shall be graduate programs offered by institutions of higher education, or by institutions of higher education collaborating with school districts or with educational, (social service, public service,) or leadership associations.

(ii) Conceptual framework. Programs shall demonstrate a commitment to:

(a) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who understand child and adolescent development and learning and who focus on student achievement, including meeting State learning standards;

(b) Recruiting candidates from groups historically underrepresented in educational leadership; and

(c) Preparing candidates to be education leaders who demonstrate the following nine essential characteristics of effective leaders:

(1) Leaders know and understand what it means and what it takes to be a leader;

(2) Leaders have a vision for schools that they constantly share and promote;

(3) Leaders communicate clearly and effectively;

(4) Leaders collaborate and cooperate with others;

(5) Leaders persevere and take the long view;

(6) Leaders support, develop and nurture staff;

(7) Leaders hold themselves and others responsible and accountable;

(iii) External relationships. Programs shall establish and maintain formal relationships with distinguished practitioners and scholars in the field of education and in other fields, such as business or the professions, for the purposes of program development, leadership preparation, program evaluation, and program improvement.

(iv) Other requirements.

(a) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training in school violence prevention and intervention, in accordance with section 3004 of the Education Law. Such course work or training shall include but not be limited to, study in the warning signs within a developmental and social context that relate to violence and other troubling behaviors in children; the statutes, regulations and policies relating to a safe nonviolent school climate; effective classroom management techniques and other academic supports that promote a nonviolent school climate and enhance learning; the integration of social and problem solving skill development for students within the regular curriculum; intervention techniques designed to address a school violence situation; and how to participate in an effective school/community referral process for students exhibiting violent behavior.

(b) Programs shall ensure that candidates complete two clock hours of coursework or training regarding the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment, in accordance with the requirements of sections 3003 and 3004 of the Education Law.

52.21(c)(5) School District Business Leader. Specific requirements for programs preparing candidates for the professional certificate as school district business leader (deputy superintendent of schools for business, associate superintendent of schools for business, assistant superintendent of schools for business, and any other person having professional responsibility for the business operation of the school district).

(ii) Admission requirements.

(a) Programs shall require candidates to hold a baccalaureate from an accredited institution of higher education or from an institution authorized by the Board of Regents to confer degrees; and

(b) Programs shall require candidates to demonstrate the potential to become education leaders possessing the nine essential characteristics of effective leaders as a result of their prior experiences that are evaluated using criteria established by the program and uniformly applied.

(iii) Credit for prior learning. Programs may grant graduate credit for prior learning, as determined through assessment, and develop individual plans of study to assist candidates in acquiring all prescribed knowledge and skills. Programs shall state on a candidate’s academic record all graduate credit that the program has granted for prior learning determined to be equivalent to a content requirement of the program.

(iv) Content requirement.* Programs shall require candidates to complete studies sufficient to demonstrate, upon program completion, the knowledge and skills necessary to perform the following within the context of a school district business leadership position:

(a) Create and sustain financial and operational conditions within a district that enable all students to meet State learning standards and all staff to serve effectively in achieving that objective;

(b) Identify, develop, and endorse organizational and administrative policies and procedures for the district;

(c) Effectively and ethically manage the financial resources of a district, including but not limited to identifying revenue sources; understanding the impact of economic and financial markets upon districts; forecasting district expenditures; applying cash management procedures and generally accepted accounting principles; developing a financial model to monitor district finances;

(d) Administer employment agreements and financial and operational resources in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations, including collective bargaining; manage and evaluate district payroll operations;

(e) Effectively and ethically manage the operational functions of a district, including but not limited to: developing data-driven facilities plans; managing and tracking inventories, equipment, and capital assets; identifying, assessing, and communicating a district risk management program;

(f) Assist in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating a district strategic plan; monitor and assess programs that support instruction; assist with the allocation of resources for instructional programs; and

(g) Effectively present financial data in multiple formats; direct a management information system; and implement effective mass and interactive communication strategies and techniques.

(v) Leadership experiences.

(a) Programs shall require candidates to successfully complete leadership experiences that shall:

(1) include leadership experiences in districts serving students at different developmental levels and with a variety of characteristics and socioeconomic backgrounds;

(2) be carefully selected and planned by program faculty in collaboration with school district leaders, with learning outcomes specified that are connected to program competencies and with the achievement of those competencies regularly evaluated by program faculty; and

(3) be supervised by certified school district leaders and by program faculty who have preparation and expertise in supervision related to school district business leadership.

(b) The leadership experiences specified in clause (a) of this subparagraph shall occur throughout the program of study. In addition, they shall culminate in a full-time experience of at least 15 weeks that is structured to provide leadership responsibilities of increasing breadth and depth.

(c) Alternatively, the leadership experiences specified in clause (a) of this subparagraph may occur in a competency-based format different from that prescribed in clause (b) of this paragraph provided that the program demonstrates that such format is substantially equivalent to the format prescribed in clause (b) of this subparagraph.

(vi) Requirements for program completion and recommendation for professional certificate.

(a) Candidates shall have successfully met all program requirements established by the institution of higher education and requirements for program registration;

(b) Candidates who have not earned a master’s degree prior to admission shall qualify for a master’s degree upon program completion, and shall have successfully completed 60 semester hours of graduate study that may include graduate study completed prior to admission and the graduate study required to develop knowledge and skills for school district business leadership, as specified in the program’s content requirements;

(c) Candidates shall successfully complete the written and performance components of the State assessment for school district business leaders.

52.21(c)(6) Institutional Accountability.

(i) Regular program evaluations by the institution. Institutions shall be accountable for the quality of their programs leading to certification of education leaders and the candidates who complete such programs, and shall demonstrate that their programs are evaluated regularly and that such evaluations are considered for making program improvements.

(iii) Accreditation.

(a) The accreditation requirements of clause (b) of this subparagraph shall be met by December 31, 2013, for programs leading to certification as school building leaders, school district leaders, or school district business leaders, except for such programs registered for the first time after December 31, 2006, in which case the accreditation requirements shall be met within seven years of the date of first registration.

(b) Programs shall be accredited by either:

(1) a professional education accrediting association determined by the department to have equivalent standards to the standards set forth in this Part; or

(2) the Regents pursuant to the Regents accreditation process.