Illinois Updates Principal Evaluator Training Requirements
Illinois school administrators will now utilize a new training program, AA4050, for initial principal evaluator certification and retraining, effective immediately.
The Illinois State Board of Education announced yesterday that the AA4050 course replaces both the 2000 and combined 1865 & 3000 training programs, which were officially sunsetted on July 1, 2024. The new training, held Wednesday, November 19 and Thursday, November 20, 2025, from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, focuses on synthesizing the School Leader Paradigm to enhance leadership skills and improve student growth. This shift aims to standardize and strengthen the evaluation process for school leaders across the state.
Participants in the AA4050 program will focus on understanding the skills necessary for effective school leadership, analyzing the impact of leaders on learning organizations, and evaluating the School Leader Evaluation Plan. While AA3000 will remain available as a Student Growth academy, it will be limited to teacher evaluator retraining. Further details on Illinois educator licensing can be found on the State Board of Education website. The updated training reflects a broader national trend toward more rigorous evaluation standards for educational leadership, as highlighted by the Wallace Foundation.
Officials stated the new program is designed to grow leaders’ personal intelligences and leadership skills, ultimately actualizing school improvement and student growth goals. The Illinois State Board of Education expects a smooth transition to the new training model and will continue to monitor its effectiveness.
