4.01 The Arkansas Leadership Academy administers the Master Principal Program.

4.01.1 Program applications are available from the Arkansas Leadership Academy.

4.01.2 All Arkansas public school building level principals with one (1) year of experience as a building-level principal may apply. Preference will be given to applicants with three (3) or more years of leadership experience. The years of experience preference may be evaluated on a case by case basis.

4.01.3 The number of participants each year in each phase may be determined by the amount of funding available for the program.

4.02 Criteria and Selection to the Master Principal Program

4.02.1 Phase I:

4.02.1.1 Phase I shall expand the knowledge base and leadership skills of the principal.

4.02.1.2 Selection of participants for Phase I will be based on responses to the application and on a balance of demographic information.

4.02.1.3 The number of participants each year may be determined by the amount of funding available for the program.

4.02.2 Phase II:

4.02.2.1 Phase II shall require the principal to apply strategies and to collect evidence of improvement in student learning and school processes.

4.02.2.2 Phase II participants are those who have successfully demonstrated a thorough understanding and implementation of Arkansas Leadership Standards addressed in Phase I as evidenced by Phase I assessments, which may include portfolios, student achievement data, site visits, self-assessments, and other forms of evidence.

4.02.3 Phase III: Selection of participants for Phase III will be based on a participant's successful completion of Phase II assessments, evidence of school results, and letters of recommendation.

4.02.3.1 Phase III shall require the principal to publicly demonstrate the ability and skills that lead to sustained academic improvement in a school and a school district.

4.02.3.2 Phase III participants are those who have successfully demonstrated a thorough understanding and implementation of Arkansas Leadership Standards addressed in Phase II as evidenced by Phase II assessments, which may include portfolios, student achievement data, site visits, self-assessments, and other forms of evidence.

4.02.4 Master Principal Designation: The Arkansas Leadership Academy will make a Master Principal Designation after a participant successfully completes Phase III, passes extensive reviews of school results, and passes rigorous assessments based on the performance areas of the assessment.

4.02.5 Participants in the Master Principal Program will have up to two (2) years to complete the assessments for each phase for a maximum time of six (6) years to complete the program and earn designation, unless extended at the discretion of the Arkansas Leadership Academy due to extenuating circumstances.