Program Description
The Merrimack Leadership Academy Principals' Preparation Program consists of sixteen 12-hour seminars designed to provide instruction in the appropriate areas to meet the standards for licensure as an administrator. Candidates complete the program in just over a year using a cohort model. Seminars will meet from 4:00 PM – 8:15 PM at a NCSD training site.

The cost for the program is $4,000, which includes tuition. Textbook/material fees are extra. Nineteen college credits through Salem State College are available at an additional and reduced cost.

In addition to the seminars, participants will complete pre-practicum activities and a supervised practicum. To complete the licensing process, candidates must successfully pass the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure.

Purpose:
The Merrimack Leadership Academy is designed to:

• Recruit highly-qualified teachers who demonstrate leadership qualities.
• Provide these individuals with a licensure program that will result in a DOE license as
• Principal/Assistant principal, Pre K-6, 5-8, 9-12.

Seminars:

• MLA 01-Leadersip and Building District Culture
• MLA 02-Education Reform and Current Issues in American Education
• MLA 03-Vision, Mission, and Strategic Planning
• MLA 04-Data Driven Decision Making
• MLA 05-Professional Development
• MLA 06-Standards Based Curriculum and Instructional Leadership
• MLA 07-School Finance and Plant Management
• MLA 08-The Change Process-District Level
• MLA 09-Structure of Schools and School systems
• MLA 10-Communication Skills
• MLA 11-Special Education for Administrators
• MLA 12-School Laws and Regulations
• MLA 13-Staff Selection, Supervision and Performance Evaluation
• MLA 14-Instructional Technology
• MLA 15-Student Performance Assessment 
• MLA 16-Community Relations and Partnerships

Application Process:

Brochure/Application Form

Applicants must possess a Bachelors degree and an Initial license in another educational role and have completed at least three full years of employment in a public/charter school, private school, higher education or other educational setting accepted by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The application form, a $35 application fee, a letter of nomination from the candidate's supervisor, a copy of the candidate's resume, a copy of DESE license, passing score on the MTEL (when completed) and official transcripts should be forwarded to Babette Mooney at the address below. No more than twenty-five participants for any one cohort will be chosen from the field of applicants.

Contact:

Babette Mooney, Program Secretary
Northeast Consortium Leadership Academy

Northeast Consortium for Staff Development
248 Boston Street
Topsfield, MA 01983
(978) 887-0929, ext. 10
bmooney@meccorp.mec.edu