Hawaii State Department of Education - Office of Talent Management
Professional Development & Educational Research InstituteHawai'i Certification Institute for School Leaders
HICISL SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
LEADERSHIP OVERVIEW
The Hawai`i Certification Institute for School Leaders (HICISL) Program, Principal Certification Program is part of the rigorous program to certify school leaders who will serve in public schools in Hawai`i. “Profile of an Effective School Leader” published by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) under the Council of Chief of State School Officers (CCSSO) best expresses what we believe is at the heart of leadership. It states: Human relationships and capacity building within students, teachers, and the wider school community is at the heart of the school leader’s work. The effective school leader is committed, responsible, competent, caring, and unwavering in the effort to have students reach high standards. A sense of both moral and professional commitment enables the effective school leader to promote a shared vision of service to students and to focus on the success of every learner as the desired result.
The HICISL Program is founded on the Profile of an Effective School Leader (2018) and the Department's Leader Competencies.
School-Level Educational Officers
The Hawaii Department of Education certifies school administrators through the Hawaii Certification Institute for School Leaders (HICISL). The HICISL Vice-Principal and Principal Certification programs prepare and support aspiring school leaders through direct instruction, coaching, coursework and residency components. The HICISL programs are run by the Professional Development and Educational Research Institute (PDERI).
"The effective school leader is committed, responsible, competent, caring and unwavering in the effort to have students reach high standards. A sense of both moral and professional commitment enables the effective school leader to promote a shared vision of service to students and to focus on the success of every learner as the desired result."
- Profile of an Effective School Leader (HIDOE 2018)
The HICISL program is comprehensive and includes an application process, on-boarding, residency, coaching, and university coursework. Regularly scheduled seminars focus on instructional and change leadership around a school improvement process to advance a high-performing culture that is student-learning centered.