The Department of District and School Leadership will partner with stakeholders to foster a robust leadership pipeline that reflects the diversity of our students.

DDSL will support stakeholders as they recruit, coach and retain high-quality, equity-minded education leaders who support and reflect the diversity of our students.

FY 2025 Principal Recruitment Program Request for Proposal Now Available in IWAS

The fiscal year 2025 Principal Recruitment Program Request for Proposal (RFP) is now available in the electronic Grants Management System through the ISBE Web Application Security (IWAS) system. The RFP will not include an allocation. However, the application must include the itemized budget information with the total funds requested. Applicants that are approved will be required to submit an amended application that will include requested changes by ISBE and the Notice of State Award and Grant Agreement pages.

All eligible applicants must create and submit an application through the IWAS system. Once you are in the system, create your application by selecting "Year: 2025" and choosing "Create Application." Some grants display a Yes checkbox that must be selected before the "Create Application" button appears.

A pre-recorded webinar from the prior grant cycle is posted on this webpage. The webinar will provide the applicant with substantive information, such as the intent of the grant and technical support to navigate IWAS. Please see the FAQ for updated deadlines and contact information (Updated 5/30/2024).

Due Date: The deadline for submitting the Principal Recruitment Program RFP is 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

Please make sure that approval groups are properly assigned through IWAS in order to access the system and submit your application.

Principal Recruitment Program

How to Apply to the Principal Recruitment Program

The Department of District and School Leadership is supporting approved providers as they recruit, coach and retain high-quality, equity-minded education leaders who support and reflect the diversity of our students. This initiative is funded through a $1.8 million state appropriation.

Technical Assistance Webinar:
- Technical Assistance Webinar
- Technical Assistance Webinar Presentation
Program Resources:
- Why Diversity in Leadership Matters
- DDSL Work Plan
- Principal Recruitment Program Standards
- Principal Recruitment Program FAQs (Updated 5/30/2024)
Additional Information:
- Funding Opportunities Page
- IWAS Access

Approved Providers

There are currently five approved providers, each of which has a unique approach and focus. Applicants may pursue an opportunity with any provider that they see as a good fit. For more information, please contact any of the approved providers listed below. If you have general questions, you may contact Shawn Walsh at swalsh@isbe.net.

ROE LEAD Hubs

Contact Information

Additional Resources

ROE Lead HUBS Diversity Leadership Program

Evanston School District #65

Contact Information

Laketa Simpson

University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana

Contact Information

Rachel Roegman

Additional Resources

University of Illinois Recruitment Email

Roosevelt University

Contact Information

Jeanne Barnas

Additional Resources

Illinois Principals Association

Contact Information

Additional Resources

Illinois School Leader Pipeline Program (ilprincipals.org)

Ed Leaders Network

The Illinois Principals Association has partnered with the Illinois State Board of Education to provide access to Ed Leaders Network (ELN) for all public school educators in the state! This includes certified and non-certified staff currently employed within a school or district. ELN access will continue to be provided by ISBE through fiscal year 2022, pending annual appropriation.

For more information, please go to edleadersnetwork.org.

New Superintendent Mentoring Program

The Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), in partnership with the Illinois State Board of Education, provides mentoring and support for new superintendents in their first three years. A new superintendent is paired with a retired superintendent, who serves as an IASA field services director. The IASA Administrative Team also provides support to early career superintendents. The field services directors and IASA staff provide one-on-one mentoring, assistance, and training that help new superintendents succeed in their new leadership role.

For more information, please go to Illinois Association of School Administrators.

New Principal Mentoring Program

How to Apply to the New Principal Mentoring Program

The New Principal Mentoring Program will provide all new principals with access to individualized mentoring that builds leadership capacity and reduces principal turnover, particularly for diverse leaders and in schools serving diverse students. The State of Illinois has set aside $1.2 million in federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds to support delivery of principal mentoring to all new principals during their first year.

The New Principal Mentoring Program will match new principals in their first year of employment in Illinois with veteran principals who have demonstrated success as instructional leaders.

Interested principals can contact any of these providers for more information: