Vice Principal Certification

The HIDOE seeks educators who possess a professional commitment to public education as transformative leaders of schools that promote equity and excellence to empower students for community, career, and college success. 

The HICISL program is designed to support leaders in establishing and sustaining new beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors to impact those who have the most direct influence over student learning. The program prepares qualified school administrators with the leadership skills, knowledge and dispositions  to support a continuous school improvement cycle  and meet the unique needs of their communities:

• • Profile of An Effective School Leader

  • HIDOE Leader Competencies

Themes: 

• • Leadership

  • Systems Thinking and Managing Change

  • Instructional Leadership

  • School Culture

  • Student Safety and Support

  • Operations and Resource Management

  • Talent Management

  • Reflective Practice and Ethical Leadership

  • Problem Solving and Decision Making

  • Effective Communication

Vice Principal Certification Tracks (Applicant Requirements)

There are two main tracks (A or B) to apply to the HICISL-VP Certification Program based on an applicant's employment status with the Department.

How to Apply

The application process for the HICISL-VP Certification Program occurs once a year with an online application window open from April/May to August.  Application components are evaluated individually and as a comprehensive portfolio for minimum qualifications/proficiency. Application portfolio components include: 

• Professional essays for administrative thinking and professional writing proficiency;

• Current teacher or administrator evaluations noting satisfactory performance;

• Leadership Potential Form completed by the current principal; and

• Letter of Recommendation from someone other than the principal completing the Leadership Potential Form.

Qualified applicants are invited to the in-person interview process during the Fall Break (October).  Applicants will be assigned an interview date and must be available to attend the interview in person. By December, applicants will be notified if they are accepted into the HICISL-VP Certification Program. 

When the online application is open, you can access at https://ehr.k12.hi.us/jobs.  On the application site, look for "Hawaii Certification Institute for School Leaders (HICISL) Vice Principal" box.  

NOTE: If you do not see the box, then the application is not currently available.

HICISL Vice Principal Certification Program

During this program, candidates have an opportunity to learn on the job in a paid residency internship under the supervision of a mentor principal. Department subject matter specialists provide technical knowledge. HICISL program specialists provide leadership skill development and help connect technical learning to school leadership.  Current and former Department leaders share experiences and offer guidance, support and feedback to each candidate.

Program Components and Timeline:

• Orientation and Pre Sessions Spring Semester

  • Monthly Saturday and Friday evening seminars

  • Evaluated assignments 

• Summer Institute Summer

  • Two (2) full weeks Monday through Saturday

  • Daily evaluated activities and assignments 

  • Additional Department or HICISL training sessions as required

• HICISL Internship 1 School Year 

  • Daily performance as an effective administrator

  • Monthly Saturday HICISL seminars

  • Monthly Friday School Leader Foundations in Operation seminars

  • Completion of 4 of 7 required university courses (courses may be taken from any accredited university but must be vetted through the HICISL program specialist in conjunction with university partners.)

  • Monthly coaching sessions

  • Cross Training

  • Satisfactory Performance Evaluations

  • Satisfactory Leadership Portfolio Assessment

  • Additional Department or HICISL training sessions as required

Successful completion of this program, including satisfactory performance on the current evaluation tool, results in an Initial School Administrator Certificate (ISAC).  The ISAC allows the bearer to apply and be considered for vacant vice principal or equivalent positions.  Tenured vice principals may apply to the HICISL Principal certification program to receive final certification.

PROVISIONAL Vice Principal Certification for experienced vice principals (Track IV) 

Licensed school administrators with experience as a licensed vice principal (or assistant principal) may apply through Track-IV.  Applicants who meet eligibility and screening requirements based on review of all requirements are awarded the Initial School Administrator Certificate - Provisional (ISAC-P) and may apply directly for vice principal or equivalent positions. The ISAC-P is valid for two years from the date of issue.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Possess current, valid K-12 school-level administrator license from another state

• Hold a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration or Educational Leadership from an accredited university

• Has a minimum of five (5) years K-12 school level experience, to include three (3) years satisfactory performance as a licensed, K-12 school-level vice principal (or assistant principal) and meet the following conditions: 

  • residency, internships and practicum under a provisional or preliminary license is not included in the (3) year minimum requirement

  • duties performed must be comparable to a Department vice principal.

  • satisfactory performance as an administrator will be verified via performance evaluations

Applicants who meet requirements for Track IV may complete an online application and submit all required documents at the: eHR website.  NOTE: Look for "School Level Administration Certification Application (Track IV/V)" box.