Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute
The Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute (ISLI) empowers school leaders to build truly inclusive schools for exceptional learners.
Program Overview
The Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute (ISLI) is a one-year fellowship program that prepares school leaders to build authentically inclusive schools designed to improve academic and social-emotional outcomes for exceptional learners. The research is clear, exceptional learners can make significant academic and social-emotional growth. Getting there requires an inclusive vision modeled and led by dynamic leaders committed to pushing past the status quo and creating schools where exceptional learners can thrive.
In this hybrid in-person and synchronous online program, leaders will engage in a three-pronged approach to building inclusive schools: (1) mindset examination, (2) knowledge building, and (3) systems redesign. Leaders will begin with examining a core set of values that are essential to driving an inclusive culture and examine what it means to build systems designed to support students socially and emotionally. Leaders will then apply those values as they build upon the protocols mastered in Observation and Feedback and Weekly Data Meetings with a focus on coaching general educators to deliver tier 1 instruction that meets the needs of diverse learners, coaching special educators to deliver high-quality specialized instruction, designing and implementing high-quality instructional and behavioral interventions, and analyzing data with the exceptional learner in mind.
Ideal Candidate
This program is targeted toward principals and principal managers and all other leaders responsible for setting the vision for and coaching teachers around inclusive practices. Our target participant demonstrates readiness in data-informed instruction, observation and feedback, and are ready to extend their learning by considering how to implement these systems in service of exceptional learners. Leaders who have completed one or more of Relay’s leadership programs are most likely to demonstrate readiness for this program. Candidates can attend as individual participants or in partnership with one or more members of their school teams (e.g. special education leader, ESL leader, assistant principal). Note: We recommend that special education leaders join alongside their school leader, however, this program is open to leaders at all levels.
To learn more about the supporting conditions and infrastructure necessary for a successful partnership, click here.
Program Schedule
Program Length: One Year
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The ISLI year-long schedule is outlined below. The summer intensive will take place in June and participants will have courses twice per month in the fall and the spring. Participants have the choice of Tuesday or Thursday evenings (6-8 p.m. EST).
Month
Description
Dates
June
Two time options for each session offered
June 21-25
June 28-July 2
Fall
Fall virtual coursework
Week of 9/13
Week of 10/11
Week of 10/25
Week of 11/29
Week of 12/13
Spring
Spring virtual coursework
Week of 1/10
Week of 1/24
Week of 2/7
Week of 2/21
Week of 3/7
Week of 3/21
Week of 4/4
May 2022
Final in-person intensive
TBD
Relay’s Leadership Programs currently plan to remain virtual through the end of 2021, and we currently have plans to offer both in-person and virtual programming beginning 2022.
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Program Fee
$9,500 per participant
The program fee covers:
- High-quality instructional professional development from experienced leaders
- Hotel guest rooms during intersessions 3 and 4 (in 2022)
- Breakfast, lunch, and snacks for participants during intersessions 3 and 4 (in 2022)
- All course materials, licensing fees, and online access to electronic versions of resources
The program was intentional with organization of readiness in data-driven instruction, specializing instruction and effective coaching.
“As a student in the Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute, I gained both the skills and confidence to build a variety of leadership skills that have supported an inclusive school and academic support for all learners. This program has allowed me to set a vision for an inclusive school and design an inclusive culture among staff and scholars. Toni and Megan were patient, thought, highly skilled and knowledgeable on topics and always willing to be thought partners in this work. The program was intentional with organization of readiness in data-driven instruction, specializing instruction and effective coaching. The final project allowed me to make changes within our school that had a direct positive impact on our student and adult culture. I would highly recommend this program to anyone wanting to expand their leadership and make their school a more inclusive environment.”
- Mary Beth Ingram
Dean of Special Services, Achievement First Bushwick Elementary School
Inclusive Schools Leadership Institute, 2019
News
- Dr. Toni Barton of ISLI featured in “Lighting the Path to Inclusion: How Beacons Embody Commitment to Students with Disabilities”
- ISLI named one of three leadership development programs spotlighted in a new report on leadership pipelines living their commitments to equity through an intentional focus on exceptional learners.
Ready to Partner?
Are you ready to become a Relay partner? To learn more about our programs, complete our interest form.
Request Seats
If you are already a Relay partner, complete the seat request form to reserve spots in our leadership programs.