Although the School of Education at the University of Pittsburgh has a long and successful history of preparing school superintendents, the increasing complexity of the superintendent’s role and recently changed state standards for the Superintendents Letter of Eligibility (LOE) certificate has led to a redesign of our certification program.
The newly designed program has as its focus the education of scholar-practitioners who are well prepared to be innovative and expert executive leaders. While mindful that there are competing LOE programs, the University of Pittsburgh program offers more than certification. We offer a career experience. Our intent is to intellectually and experientially prepare school executives for the rigor and challenge of 21st Century leadership. Ours is a program intended for those who value learning and interaction with other career-minded professionals at one of the nation’s top schools of education and research universities.
The new design uses a cohort format to provide a supportive and reliable experience for the working professional. The faculty design team also focused on the integration of rigorous content and consequential field experiences into all facets of the curriculum.
The new Letter of Eligibility program makes use of a variety of course delivery formats. The program includes an intense summer Assessment Laboratory workshop to assess each student’s strengths and areas for personal development. The lab class introduces students to the profession of school superintendent through contact and interaction with many of Pennsylvania’s top school leaders.
The program also makes use of periodic Saturday Institutes as a way to delve into complex topics like “collective bargaining”. Saturday Institutes, as well as some online learning, are intended to reduce the number of on campus classes that the working professional must attend. The eighteen-month, 30-credit program is organized around five Areas of Study. These Areas of Study use practitioner and faculty expertise in inventive ways. The Areas of Study are: Leadership in a Changing World, Context, Culture and Organization, Leadership and Governance, Management and Finance, and Inquiring Leadership. The program features an extensive field internship, career guidance and satisfaction of all Pennsylvania Department of Education requirements.
The Cohort I class completed its orientation on June 15, 2009 and will begin formal study in the Superintendent’s Assessment Laboratory workshop in July. Cohort I will complete its studies in the 2010 Fall Term.
Recruitment for Cohort II will begin in September of 2009. Although enrollment in the program will be limited, educators who aspire to executive leadership as a superintendent or central office educator are encouraged to seek admittance to the program and to doctoral study.
School of Education alumni and other practicing school administrators are strongly encouraged to nominate educators with executive leadership potential.
For further information or to make a nomination, please contact or make an appointment with:
Dr. Jerry Longo Department of Administrative and Policy Studies
4320 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
412-648-1937
longoj@pitt.edu
Students who are enrolled in the former LOE program may join a cohort or will be provided the opportunity to complete their studies by the close of Spring Term 2011.
