Become a High School Principal in Florida

<p>In order to become a certified principal, persons must have completed an advanced degree from an accredited college or university. The general requirements for attaining certification are summarized in the table below. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td> Master's degree</td></tr> <tr><td>Exam Requirements </td><td> FELE</td></tr> <tr><td>Certification Renewal Period </td><td> Five years</td></tr> <tr><td>Requirements for Renewal </td><td> Six semester hours of college credit</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2018)</td><td>$83,820 (elementary and high school principals in FL)*</td></tr> <tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td> 8% (elementary, middle and high school principals nationally)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---GeneralAcademicRequirements">General Academic Requirements</h3> <p>Prospective principals must have completed an approved educational leadership program from an accredited college or university. The Florida Department of Education maintains a list of approved institutions that offer Level 1 Educational Leadership programs that lead to Level 1 certification for principals. Currently, these are all master's programs and are offered by a variety of institutions in state. </p> <h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3> <p>Principals will also need to pass the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE). The FELE is comprised of three subtests: </p> <ul><li>Subtest 1: Leadership for Student Learning, </li><li>Subtest 2: Organizational Development </li><li>Subtest 3: Systems Leadership. </li></ul><p>The first two subtests last for 2 hours and have 70 multiple-choice questions. Subtest 3 has a 55-question multiple-choice section as well as a 60-minute written performance section. While candidates can register for each subtest separately, they must register for both sections of Subtest 3 if registering for the first time. </p> <h3 id="section---PerformanceRequirements">Performance Requirements</h3> <p>If applying for certification as a principal, the candidate must hold a valid professional certificate that covers educational leadership or administration. The candidate must also carry out the duties of a principal for at least a year, after which the candidate will be evaluated. The duties must have been carried out in a school district approved by the Florida Department of Education and must include: </p> <ul><li>full-time employment in a leadership position at a Florida public school that allows the candidate to show adherence to the Florida Principal Leadership Standards </li><li>a formally planned professional development program that will help the candidate carry out their duties as a principal effectively </li><li>a comprehensive execution of the main duties of a school principal </li><li>supervision of an approved practicing principal or district manager who is able to manage the program </li></ul><p>At the end of the program, the candidate's competencies in school principalship standards will be evaluated based on a school district approved performance appraisal system. </p> <h3 id="section---ApplicationProcess">Application Process</h3> <p>The persons who meet the initial qualifications of a master's degree in educational leadership and a valid Professional Certificate must contact the Florida Department of Education regarding the steps for application. The application process will include the submission of official transcripts and proof of current certification. </p> <h3 id="section---AdditionalInformation">Additional Information</h3> <p>Principals will still need to maintain a valid Professional Certificate and as such may need to continue certificate renewal through the completion of the relevant semester hours. The Florida Department of Education has also established a standard for approved Level 2 Principal Education Programs that are open to persons who already hold a Level 1 Educational Leadership certificate or a valid Professional Certificate.</p>