STATEHOUSE – A bill establishing the Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) passed out of the General Assembly today. Sponsored by State Representative Bob Heaton (R-Terre Haute) and co-sponsored by State Representative Alan Morrison (R-Terre Haute), Senate Bill (SB) 402 will now go to governor’s desk and wait for his signature before becoming a law.

“This institute offers an excellent opportunity for our public school principals, wishing to attend post-secondary education, to develop themselves professionally as school leaders,” said Rep. Heaton. “I am always looking for new ways to provide advancement opportunities for Hoosiers in their profession, and this program provides that for these principals by offering them a chance to strengthen their communication, leadership and instructional skills.”

The PLI, administered through Indiana State University's College of Education, is an onsite, mentorship program intended to increase teacher and student performance by strengthening leadership and management skills of public school principals.

“As someone involved in Indiana’s education system, this institute provides an amazing opportunity to improve that system,” said Rep. Morrison. “I know many of our school principals have been waiting for an opening like this, and I was very pleased to provide them with a chance to grow and mature professionally which will trickle-down to benefit our Hoosier students.”

The PLI mentoring program occurs in two-year cycles in which public school principals would be eligible to participate. Additionally, ISU must evaluate and submit an annual accountability report to members of the General Assembly, assessing the effectiveness of the program.  SB 402, if signed, is effective July 1, 2013.

"We are very thankful for the bi-partisan work of Representatives Bob Heaton, Alan Morrison, and Clyde Kersey, as well as Senators Jim Banks and Tim Skinner,” said Greg Goode, Executive Director of Government Relations Indiana State University. “These gentlemen have worked very hard throughout this legislative session to get SB 402 to this critical point, and we are honored to have introduced an issue that serves as common ground for both sides of the political aisle to support.”

“The Indiana Association of School Principals is pleased with the advancement of SB 402 which establishes a principal leadership institute at Indiana State University,” said Todd Bess, Executive Director of the IN Principals Association. “This bipartisan effort to support principals as they lead their school buildings recognizes the critical role all building leaders play in helping all students succeed.”

Visit www.in.gov/legislative for more information about SB 402.

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