How to become a principal of alternative education

How to become a Principal of Alternative Education

Becoming a principal of alternative education requires a combination of education, experience, and specialized skills. Here’s a general pathway for pursuing this career:

Bachelor's Degree
Start by earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Special Education Teaching, Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Child Development, or a related field. This is the foundational step to entering the education profession.

Teacher Preparation Program
As part of a bachelor's degree, you must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program. This includes coursework as well as supervised student teaching experience.

State Certification / Licensing
After completing a bachelor's degree and teacher preparation program, you must obtain state certification (in the US) or equivalent in your country. Certification requirements vary by state, but typically include passing a standardized exam, such as the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators Test.

Gain Classroom Teaching Experience
Before becoming a principal, most states and districts require teaching experience. This involves working as a classroom teacher in a traditional or alternative educational setting, usually for a minimum of three to five years.

Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership
A Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, Educational Administration, or a closely related field is usually required for principal positions. These programs provide the necessary leadership, management, and strategic planning skills needed for a role as a principal. Some programs may offer concentrations in alternative education or special education administration.

Principal Certification or Licensure
Depending on your location, you may need to obtain a principal certification or a school administrator license. The requirements vary by state, but generally include completing an accredited graduate program and passing a certification exam, such as the Praxis School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA), that tests knowledge in areas like educational law and school management. Some areas may require additional training or internships in school administration. Depending on the jurisdiction, a background check may also be required.

Gain Educational Leadership Experience
Many principals begin their leadership careers as assistant principals, department heads, or educational coordinators. This experience is crucial in building the leadership skills necessary for overseeing school operations, managing staff, and implementing educational programs. Experience in leading teams, managing budgets, and handling school policies will be valuable.

Specialize in Alternative Education
Gain experience in alternative education settings. This could include working with at-risk or marginalized youth, students with behavioral challenges, students with special needs, or students in juvenile detention centers. This practical training helps develop the specialized knowledge needed to manage the unique challenges of alternative education programs.

Develop Key Skills
Successful principals in alternative education need a unique set of skills:

• Leadership and Decision Making – ability to manage staff and make decisions that support student success
• Crisis Management – experience in handling behavioral or emotional crises
• Communication – strong skills in collaborating with students, staff, families, and community organizations
• Understanding of Diverse Learners – knowledge of different learning needs, including special education, mental health, and behavioral issues
• Empathy and Patience – strong ability to connect with students who may have experienced trauma or hardship
• Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice – capacity to approach the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large

Continuing Education and Professional Development
Even after becoming a principal, it’s important to stay current with developments in education. Participating in ongoing learning workshops and conferences related to alternative education, special education, or educational leadership will help you stay up to date and enhance your effectiveness as a principal.

Certifications
Principals of alternative education can pursue several professional designations and certifications to advance their careers. These credentials validate their proficiency in alternative education management, instructional leadership, and school administration:

• Alternative Education Endorsement or Specialized Certification – Some states or districts offer alternative education endorsements or specialized certifications for principals working in alternative education settings. Earning these credentials may require additional coursework or training in topics such as behavioral management and discipline strategies, special education and individualized education plans (IEPs), at-risk youth and dropout prevention strategies, or trauma-informed education and mental health.
• NASET Board Certifications – In some cases, if the alternative education program involves working with students with disabilities or special educational needs, a special education certification or endorsement may be required. The National Association for Special Education Teachers (NASET) offers five board certification programs: Board Certification in Classroom Management (BCCM), Board Certification in Inclusion in Special Education (BCISE), Board Certification in Individualized Education Programs Development (BCIEP), Board Certification for Advocacy in Special Education (BCASE), Board Certification in Special Education (BCSE). These credentials demonstrate high levels of competency and can lead to professional recognition and higher pay.
• Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Certification – ABA certification is useful for teachers and principals working with students who exhibit behavioral challenges. This professional credential allows practitioners to design and implement behavior interventions based on evidence-based practices. Candidates must complete a graduate degree with ABA coursework and supervised fieldwork, as well as pass the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam administered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB).
• Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) Certifications – Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) is the world’s leading provider of evidence-based de-escalation training. Their programs equip staff with crisis intervention and de-escalation skills that reduce emotional outbursts, meltdowns, or challenging behavior and help prevent future incidents. These are the programs and specialty courses offered by CPI and its affiliates: Verbal Intervention Training, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NCI), NCI with Advanced Physical Skills, Trauma, Mental Health, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Reframing Behavior, Prevention First Online Training.
• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Certification – SEL training and credentialing, available through many different entities, focuses on social/emotional-informed practices that enhance educators’ ability to effectively teach students emotional regulation, empathy, and social skills.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support the alternative education community:

• National Alternative Education Association (NAEA) – NAEA is a national organization dedicated to supporting alternative education programs. It provides access to resources and professional development and networking opportunities for those working in alternative education, including principals, teachers, and administrators.
• National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) – NAESP is a professional organization serving elementary and middle school principals and other education leaders throughout the US, Canada, and overseas. It provides advocacy, training and professional development resources, and networking opportunities.
• National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) – The NASSP serves secondary school leaders, offering resources, support, and leadership development programs. NASSP also awards the National Principal of the Year recognition.
• AASA-The School Superintendents Association – AASA (formerly the American Association of School Administrators) develops and supports school system leaders through the national exchange of ideas; access to professional learning, publications, and resources; and opportunities to champion initiatives to help transform the future of public education.
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) – ASCD provides resources for teachers to improve instruction for diverse learners, including those in alternative education programs.
• Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) – The CEC is the largest professional organization for educators who work with students with disabilities. Many alternative education programs serve students with special needs, and this organization provides principals with access to resources related to special education and inclusive practices.
• Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) – ABAI is a global organization dedicated to supporting the use of behavior analysis to improve learning outcomes for students with behavioral or academic challenges.
• National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) – NASP represents and supports the profession of school psychology by advancing effective practices to improve students' learning, behavior, and mental health, and maintaining essential standards for ethics and practice.
• National School Boards Association (NSBA) – NSBA represents school boards and school leadership across the US. While it primarily focuses on policy and governance, it provides resources and research that can benefit principals working in alternative education settings.
• National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPC/N) – NDPC/N is an organization dedicated to dropout prevention, championing alternative education strategies for at-risk youth. It offers access to research, best practices, and professional development focused on keeping students engaged in school and reducing dropout rates.
• American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) – AACTE provides support to educators, teacher preparation programs, and educational leaders.