Learn How to Become a Principal, Superintendent, or Other Administrator in Illinois with a Doctorate or Master’s in Educational Leadership

Illinois is ahead of the national average when it comes to its student-teacher ratio, 1-to-14.7, and its spending per pre-K-12 student, $17,293. It’s education budget is fast approaching $10 billion.

Across the state 853 school districts educate nearly two million students in almost 4,000 schools. The demand for good leadership becomes immediately apparent when you consider each of those 4,000 schools needs a principal, and each of the 853 school districts needs a superintendent.

While there has been good progress in the state of Illinois’ K-12 education recently, there is still plenty of room for improvement.

High school graduation rates are at a relatively good 87%, but neighboring Iowa, Kentucky, and Wisconsin prove that progress is possible with their rates that are at or approaching the mid-90s.

Illinois’ eighth-grade math scores are two points above the national average; however 20 states score better.

K-12 education in Illinois isn’t dire, but it’s just slightly above average.

That might be fine for some states, but Illinois isn’t just your average state. It’s an international leader in business and education, it has a talented population, and it’s full of ingenuity.

To meet tomorrow’s challenges the students of today need leadership that’s above average. This is your cue to respond to that voice in your head that’s daring you to take up the challenge and lead the youths of this generation onto something great.

You know how the classroom works. Now it’s time to level up; it’s time to earn a graduate degree in a field like educational leadership and explore what it means to be a school or district leader.

How to Become a Principal in Illinois – School-level Educational Leadership

You already have a Professional Educator License (PEL). You’re experienced, with at least four years under your belt as a teacher. And you have at least a master’s degree.

Inevitably, the thought of adding a principal endorsement onto your current PEL will cross your mind.

Step 1. Fulfill the Education Requirement

Education is the main obstacle standing between you and adding a principal endorsement onto your PEL.

Illinois requires you to complete at least 24 hours of coursework designed to prepare you for a principal endorsement, and this graduate-level coursework must be approved by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). Right now there are 28 schools in Illinois that offer ISBE-approved principal endorsement programs.

This coursework can typically be combined with a master’s or doctoral degree, resulting in credentials like: