MN SF524

Commissioner of education may contract with Minnesota State University Mankato or University of Minnesota to establish a Principals' Leadership Institute providing research-based professional development to licensed principals focused on instructional and organizational leadership.

Institute must create networks of educational and business leaders, help develop school vision aligned with community and district priorities, develop strategies to retain qualified teachers and ensure diverse student populations have equal access, and provide training in culturally competent data analysis.

School district and charter school boards may recommend licensed principals or school leaders to apply to the institute based on leadership potential, with applications also accepted directly from principals by February 1 each year.

Selection committee comprised of education commissioner/designee and executive directors from Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Elementary Principals Association, Secondary School Principals Association, Charter Schools Association, and Charter School Partners shall recommend regionally diverse applicants including charter school leaders.

Appropriates unspecified amounts in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 to the commissioner of education for a grant to reduce participant costs to $2,000 per participant.