The Educational Leader Level 1 (EDL1) certificate is an entry-level certificate for individuals seeking to qualify for school and/or district leadership positions such as assistant principals, principals, parish or city supervisors of instruction, supervisors of child welfare and attendance, special education supervisors, or comparable school/district leader positions. An individual advances from an EDL1 to an EDL2 certificate after successfully meeting standards of effectiveness as a leader for three years verified with approved evaluation.
You can review each of the state-approved routes towards Educational Leader (EDL) certification below.
Educational Leader Level 1 (Graduate degree path)
Educational Leader 1 Alternate Pathway 1 (individualized plan of study)
Educational Leader 1-Alternate Path 2 (240 clock hours of leadership experience)
Educational Leader 1-Alternate Path 3 (Practitioner Leader - graduate degree not required)
Educational Leader Level 1- Alternate Path 4 (MPA, MBA, JD, or commissioned officer) - authorizes serving as a school-level leader only
If you choose to complete a leadership program you can find a complete list of educational leader program providers on TeachLouisiana.net under Approved Teacher/Leader Preparation Programs.
Once requirements are fulfilled, you would apply for certification eligibility using the appropriate application in the Louisiana Educator Portal. A $50 processing fee is required.
- Graduate Path - Educational Leader 1 - Degree or Individualized Program application
- Alternate Path 1 - Educational Leader 1 - Degree or Individualized Program application
- Alternate Path 2 - Educational Leader 1 - 240 Clock Hours application
- Alternate Path 3 - Educational Leader 1 - Practitioner Leader Program application
- Alternate Path 4 - Educational Leader 1 - School Level Leader Alt Path 4 application
- EDL 2 - Educational Leader Renewal or Higher Certification application
Until employed in a leadership, as verified and requested by your employing school system, you will receive a letter of eligibility which may be used as official verification of qualification while seeking a leadership position.