Choose your leadership pathway. Accelerate your growth.
The ISTE+ASCD Instructional Leader Certification is for those who shape instructional quality across a school or district. Go beyond theory to build the mastery that elevates teaching and improves student outcomes.
Unlike traditional leadership programs that focus on management skills, the Instructional Leader Certification is the only credential that measures what you actually do. It supports teachers, strengthens pedagogy, analyzes student work, and builds cultures of continuous improvement.
What is the Instructional Leader Certification Program?
You don't just learn it. You prove it. Build a portfolio around the five core competencies outlined below and showcase real evidence of your instructional leadership in action, evaluated by ISTE+ASCD expert reviewers who understand what excellence looks like in your role.
Create classrooms where learning actually sticks. Engagement without challenge and support without rigor both fall short. Demonstrate the ability to coach teachers in designing learning environments that are active, equitable, and built around every student's needs.
Leaders will showcase their proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and applying educational data to inform instructional strategies and drive continuous improvement in student learning outcomes.
Leaders will exhibit their capacity to introduce and manage innovative educational practices, fostering a culture of adaptability and continuous improvement that enhances teaching and learning.
Leaders will demonstrate their expertise in nurturing professional growth among educators through strategic development initiatives, effective coaching, and constructive feedback mechanisms.
Leaders will showcase their ability to create, implement, and refine curricula that are innovative, inclusive, and aligned with educational standards to meet diverse learning needs and boost student engagement.
This process pushed us past shiny tools to purposeful practice. We now have a shared vision, routines for coaching and feedback, and evidence that our choices improve access, equity, and learning.
Carrie SeboraDirector of Curriculum, Instruction, and Instructional Technology Soledad Unified School District
This has been a powerful learning journey that invited me to pause and rethink my practice. It sharpened how I design professional learning, support educators, and make instructional decisions with greater intention — including how I lead innovation with technology and AI.
Greta SandlerCoach Leader
“Completing the Instructional Leader Certification program was transformative for me. The program gave me space to reflect deeply on my leadership style and better understand how I connect with and support all learners in my school. I know where I've been as a leader and where I'd like to go!”
Eric A. WaltersDirector of STEM Education, Marymount, New York
This Certification Is For You If You:
Coach teachers to improve their instructional practice
Lead a school or department and want to strengthen teaching quality
Drive instructional strategy at the district or system level
Want to validate your expertise with a credential that actually reflects what you do
Are ready to move from "talking about" good instruction to proving you can lead it
Three Pathways. One Goal.
Instructional Coach PathwayFor those who work directly with teachers to improve classroom practice
School Leader PathwayFor building principals and assistant principals driving instructional excellence
System Leader PathwayFor district administrators scaling instructional improvements across schools
Choose the pathway that fits your role. Earn a certification that proves your impact.
This is a competency-based certification, not a test. You'll earn all 15 instructional leader competency indicators, evaluated by the official ISTE+ASCD review team with actionable feedback throughout.
Plan to dedicate approximately 50 hours over 7 months to learning and artifact creation. Monthly office hours provide real-time support from expert practitioners.
You'll need comfort with technology, self-motivation, and online learning experience. Suggested roles include in-practice coaches, building leaders, and district curriculum or staff development leaders.
Yes. Schools or districts interested in enrolling 5 or more leaders can contact us for group pricing and to schedule a customized cohort kickoff.
You'll earn a professional badge you can share via email and social media, and join an exclusive community of certified instructional leaders aligned to the ISTE+ASCD Transformational Learning Principles.
