Family members, friends, and co-workers cheered inside the Rosemont High School auditorium on June 30, 2012, as 61 members of the second graduating class of the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) Leadership Institute proudly accepted their credentials. During the 2011-2012 school year, SCOE operated two cohorts, one at the county office and another in the Elk Grove Unified School District.

Each participant received a Preliminary Administrative Services Credential, which allows them to apply for and be competitive for site administrator, vice-principal, and district positions that require an administrative credential. The Preliminary Administrative Services Credential is authorized by State of California, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

“This is an extremely challenging time to be working in education, let alone to be in a leadership position. However, more than ever, strong school leadership is vital to school improvement,” Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools David W. Gordon told the graduates. “As educational leaders you must shape, cultivate and demonstrate a culture that motivates greatness.”

Studies indicate the Sacramento region faces a shortage of trained and talented school leaders. A study by WestEd found that by 2017, because of retirements and other factors, Sacramento County will need nearly 300 new school site administrators while the Sacramento region will need close to 500.

The Leadership Institute is a ten-month program which focuses on aspiring administrators to fill the expected need for highly qualified and trained administrators. In addition to aspiring administrators, the Institute is designed to help train newly appointed administrators with one or two years of experience, continuing administrators with three or more years of experience, as well as established district administrators. The Institute supports the development of the skills administrators need to provide leadership at school sites and in district administration.

The Leadership Institute is coordinated by Dr. L. Steven Winlock, former Associate Superintendent of Elementary Education for the Elk Grove Unified School District.

“The Institute began with a vision to provide leaders in our region who have the skills to lead our schools, guide education for all students and connect the community,” Dr. Winlock told the graduates. “You are the reality of this vision, leaders who have foundational understanding and skills to lead our schools and districts.”

SCOE will offer two Leadership Institute cohorts for the 2012-2013 school year, with one group meeting at the county office and the other being operated at the Elk Grove Unified School District headquarters.