Introduction to the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders

Abstract

Our goal is for you to be inspired to strive for a better future for your school community as you continually develop skills leading to a long, successful, healthy career in educational leadership knowing you are not on this journey alone. This book focuses on helping principals to effectively implement the standards and expectations of the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL). Each chapter describes what effective leaders should know and be able to do to achieve success with each standard, including the use of the PSEL in principal performance evaluations, mentoring, and developing a grow your own leadership development program. This book provides guidance to assist principals in regularly reflecting on their professional practice to consider one’s own values, motivations, beliefs, and actions, and how these are viewed in light of the professional standards. In this chapter, the authors unravel the impact of the standards on leader preparation programs, licensure requirements, evaluation processes, and reflective practice.