delivery

The delivery/structure of the Washington State Leadership Academy (WSLA) was defined by the Design Team during the design and implementation phase for the pilot year. Modifications to the design and delivery for year two of the first cohort group, and for a new cohort, are underway.

The delivery of the pilot year is as follows:

• Leadership learning groups will be identified and organized by each ESD. Seminar sessions will be delivered at the ESD or other regional sites selected by the participants and the ESD.
  
• ESD superintendents will need to submit a proposed plan to WSLA in the spring that describes the participants, schedule, and support framework for Leadership Academy programs and coaching for the coming school year.
• The Leadership Academy will create common materials and protocols, recruit, and hire instructors/coaches, provide access to materials, pay for a portion of the personnel costs of instructors/coaches/staff, provide common statewide evaluation of impact and feedback, and maintain supervision and quality control of the work of instructors/coaches.
  
• ESDs will be responsible for obtaining district commitment to participate. The preferred option during the pilot year will be for district teams to participate in regular seminars AND to receive in-district coaching. For large districts, a customized program will be developed and provided.
• Each district team will have a coach who will be selected collaboratively by WSLA, the ESD, and the district. Placement of coaches must by acceptable to the districts.
  
• Coaches will be hired for 30 days—16 for in-district coaching, seven for workshop days, and seven for training and planning with a team of instructors and facilitators.
  
• ESDs will provide logistical support for the seminar program and coordinate communication among participants.
• WSLA has asked each district participating with one team of 4-7 people to contribute $5,000 for the pilot year program. Excluding expenses for travel/food, this represents approximately 22 percent of direct personnel costs for services to each district. The total estimated budget for the Washington State Leadership Academy for 2008-09 is about $1.3 million. Funding levels for districts in year two and beyond will be dependent on state and private funding.
• Each leadership learning group will be provided common core readings and content for reflection. Every group will be organized as a community of practice focused on solving an existing student learning problems in their district.
  
• In-district coaches will be trained by WSLA and will provide at least two coaching days per month.