Principal Program Framework & Admissions Criteria

Program Framework

    • The aspiring administrator will examine the state’s certification standards for principals; basic issues relating to why educational administration was selected as his/her profession; the participant’s current status regarding career goals; attitudes and skills that facilitate credibility, trust, confidence, and becoming a leader who puts principles ahead of politics and people before self-interests
    • The aspiring administrator will learn the legal aspects of leadership; how to translate policies and procedures into practice; and how to create an effective and efficient building administrative handbook and other excellent management documents
    • The aspiring administrator will develop an understanding of the human relations aspects of leadership; the elements of moral and ethical leadership; how to develop personal and professional habits of quality; how to conduct and monitor strategic planning; and how to design fiscal and programmatic accountability
    • The aspiring administrator will learn how to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum; achieve efficient scheduling of instruction; identify new technologies for teaching and learning; and establish a campus culture of high expectations for students, teachers, staff, parents, and community
    • The aspiring administrator will review new systems of authority, leadership, and collaborative decision-making at the building level; learn to get organized personally and professionally; and how to design and implement training and coaching involving all stakeholders
    • The aspiring administrator will become aware of new trends for educating children for a profoundly different future; learn how to address the anticipated changes through campus planning, evaluation, communication, and accountability; determine how to maintain safe and secure environments; discover how to establish processes to assess and modify the plan; and practice how to create local solutions to local problems
    • The aspiring administrator will conduct interviews with successful administrators and business/corporate/government leaders regarding critical leadership topics, and will network with other successful principals
    • The aspiring administrator will engage in structured, standards-driven, campus-based/job-embedded learning as part of the practicum under the coaching and mentoring of an experienced mentor principal 

Admissions Criteria

  • The following items/actions are required for admission:

    • $100 Non-Refundable Application Processing Fee
    • Hold a valid Texas classroom teaching certificate (TAC Title 19, Part 7, Chapter 241 Rule §241.20)
    • Submit all service records verifying a minimum of two years of creditable teaching experience as a classroom teacher as defined in TAC Title 19, Chapter 153, Subchapter CC and TEC §5.001(2)
    • Official transcripts from institutions granting your bachelor’s and master’s or higher degrees (may submit unofficial advanced degree transcripts if degree is still in progress; official transcripts will be required for final certification clearance)If degree is from another country TOEFL Internet Based Test (minimum scores of 24 in speaking; 22 in listening and reading; and 21 in writing)
    • Candidates who complete an additional bachelor's degree or higher in U.S. are exempt from TOEFL requirement
    • An overall GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of coursework special consideration may be granted to overall/last 60 hours GPA in the 2.50 to 2.74 range with the director's approval  
    • Two-page narrative of your professional goals
    • Resume
    • Site Supervisor (Mentor) Information and Commitment Form – name, titles, address and phone numbers (principal)
    • Interview/In-basket Activity - virtual format during COVID-19

    Find out how your district can benefit from this program. Contact us today!

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How We Help

  • CES works directly with school districts to support educators in Harris County.

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    Contact Us for More Info

    Center for Educator Success
    A division of the Harris County Department of Education
    6300 Irvington Blvd.
    Houston, TX 77022
    Phone: 713-694-6300
    Email: CES@hcde-texas.org