CAPE - Organizational & Systems Leadership

The principal understands how to apply systems thinking to set priorities and manage organizational complexity. The principal applies research-based strategies and best practices for establishing, monitoring, and evaluating organizational structures, processes and systems that promote a culture of collaboration and respect, and that maintain a focus on continuous improvement and enhanced achievement for all student groups. The principal understands how to use technology effectively to facilitate communication, manage information, enhance collaboration, and support effective management of the organization. The principal has the skills and strategies to coordinate and align human resources within the school context, including making appropriate staffing and teacher placement decisions to support organizational goals and promote equitable learning opportunities for all student groups. The principal understands strategies for allocating and using space to meet instructional needs and accommodate a variety of learning programs as well as co-curricular programs. The principal recognizes and addresses potential personal biases as well as potential and actual inequities within the educational system and the school site that can negatively impact student achievement, such as, the effect of class scheduling on student achievement and on equitable access to learning opportunities for all students, including English Learners and students with special needs.

The principal understands school finance in California, including relevant laws and regulations. The principal works collaboratively with others in the school community to develop, implement and monitor the school’s budget and expenditures, and reports accurate and timely fiscal information to the LEA and the school community. The principal prioritizes the use of school resources, including the budget, to support the school’s vision, goals, and growth plan. The principal understands financial recordkeeping and accounting processes, and the use of current technologies for financial management and business procedures.

The principal understands and implements federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines relating to public schools and the educational process. The principal understands constitutional and related legal rights and protections for students and staff and the administrator’s role in monitoring and ensuring compliance with these rights and protections. The principal understands legal issues and responsibilities related to evolving technologies and the use of technology within the instructional system. The principal implements legal, equitable, and ethical procedures for evaluating, supervising, disciplining, and dismissing staff. Where applicable, the principal establishes legal, equitable, and ethical procedures for recruiting, selecting, hiring, inducting, developing, and retaining staff. The principal understands processes of labor relations and collective bargaining in California, and contract implementation and management in the local setting. The principal ensures that school practices and procedures meet legal maintenance, health and safety requirements, including ensuring student and staff safety, building security, crisis planning, and emergency management. Where applicable, the principal understands and implements legal requirements relating to procedures and practices for managing auxiliary services such as food service and student transportation. The principal understands strategies for responding effectively to unpredictable circumstances or unintended consequences of decisions and/or school events.