[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 41 (Friday, March 9, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2974-S2975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. CLINTON:
  S. 837. A bill to develop a generation of school leaders who are 
committed to, and effective in, increasing student achievement and to 
ensure that all low-income, under-performing schools are led by 
effective school leaders who are well-prepared to foster student 
success; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mrs. CLINTON. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
help

[[Page S2975]]

ensure that State and local educational agencies implement an effective 
certification process for school leaders. My legislation will address 
the need to effectively train and retain school leaders to prepare our 
children to compete in the global economy.
  The Fordham Foundation conducted a study on the effectiveness of 
current state licensing procedures and noted that they have ``little 
relevance to the task at hand [and] discourage the leaders we need from 
entering our public schools.'' As a result, school leaders, 
particularly those in under-performing schools, are often unprepared to 
foster student success. That is why I am sponsoring the Improving the 
Leadership and Effectiveness of Administrators for Districts (I LEAD) 
Act.
  As the number of openings for school leaders is expected to increase 
by 20 percent in the next five years, districts will find it 
increasingly difficult to recruit and retain effective principals. We 
need to ensure outgoing school leaders are replaced with effective, 
well-trained school leaders who are prepared to raise student 
achievement.
  The I LEAD Act would allow State and local educational agencies to 
evaluate the effectiveness of their current school leadership licensure 
requirements by examining the impact on student achievement, graduation 
rates, parental involvement, and safety within their schools. It also 
provides grants to implement a plan to recruit and effectively train 
school leaders by providing on-the-job experience during the licensure 
process, financial incentives, ongoing professional development, and 
mentors during their first two years on the job.
  Under this bill, the Department of Education would conduct a study on 
the effectiveness of these grants on student achievement. Upon 
successful implementation of new procedures, state education agencies 
may apply for additional grant money through the Department for 
assistance in replicating the success of this ``model leadership zone'' 
throughout the state. Grants would also be used to reform the state 
certification process.
  School leaders have a significant impact on student achievement. An 
effective and capable school leader can make the difference in 
providing the tools and instructional support staff needed to foster 
the type of school environment conducive to student academic success. 
This legislation would ensure that our principals are given the 
training and support they need to foster student success.
  The I LEAD Act addresses the need to effectively train and retain 
school leaders to prepare our children to compete in the global 
economy. I am hopeful that my Senate colleagues from both sides of the 
aisle will join me today to move this legislation to the floor without 
delay.

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