KRS 161.027: Preparation program for principals -- Assessment -- Certificates and

statements of eligibility -- Renewal.

(1) The Education Professional Standards Board, pursuant to KRS 161.028, shall by

administrative regulation establish requirements for a preparation program in

institutions of higher education for all new applicants for principal certification and

establish criteria for admission to the program.

(2) The Education Professional Standards Board and the Council on Postsecondary

Education shall evaluate the preparation programs for principals and maintain only

those institutional programs that can demonstrate both the quality and the capability

to enroll adequate numbers of students to justify the resources necessary for

maintenance of a quality program.

(3) The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop or select appropriate

assessments for applicants seeking certification as principals, including an

assessment of the ability to apply knowledge, instructional leadership, management,

and supervision skills.

(4) The Education Professional Standards Board shall establish the minimum score for

successful completion of assessments and shall establish a reasonable fee to be

charged applicants for the actual cost of administration of the assessments. The

Education Professional Standards Board shall provide for confidentiality of

assessment scores.

(5) The certification of principals shall require the successful completion of the

examinations required by subsection (3) of this section. A on e (1) year certificate

may be given to a person who has:

(a) A comparable certificate from another state; or

(b) All other qualifications except the assessments and is selected as a principal or

assistant principal in a district where the superintendent ce rtifies to the

Education Professional Standards Board that there is a limited number of

applicants to meet the requirements.

Upon successful completion of the assessments, a certificate shall be issued for an

additional four (4) years. A person employed in Kentucky as a principal or assistant

principal who was certified in another state and practiced in that state for two (2) or

more years is exempt from taking the assessment described in subsection (3)(a) of

this section.

(6) Upon successful completion of the approved preparation program and the

assessments, the Education Professional Standards Board shall issue to the

applicant a statement of eligibility for internship valid for five (5) years. If the

applicant does not gain employment as a principal with in the five (5) year period,

the applicant shall reestablish eligibility by repeating and passing the assessments in

effect at that time or by completing a minimum of six (6) graduate hours, directly

related to instructional leadership, management, or supe rvision, at a regionally or

nationally accredited institution. The option for renewal through completion of

graduate hours shall be available only for the first reestablishment of eligibility.

Upon obtaining employment for an internship position as princip al or assistant

principal within the period of eligibility, the applicant shall be issued the

appropriate one (1) year certificate for the position.

(7) Following successful completion of the first year of principalship, the principal

certificate shall be extended for four (4) years. Renewal of the certificate shall

require the completion of a continuing education requirement as prescribed by the

Education Professional Standards Board.