Australian Principal Certification moves to ACER

The Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) is pleased to announce it will take over the Australian Principal Certification program, effective immediately.

Formerly managed by the Principals Australia Institute (PAI), the only national certification for principals has become the gold standard for principal development in Australia. To ensure continuity of the quality of content and program provision, ACER is delighted to welcome former PAI Senior Manager – Principal Certification, Dr Jillian de Araugo.

Mr Ralph Saubern, ACER Deputy CEO (Professional Resources) says the program is a good fit with ACER’s existing range of professional development courses and school improvement programs and aligns well with ACER’s broader mission to improve learning using an evidence-based approach.

“The Australian Principal Certification is the national professional certification for practising principals, inclusive of all principals regardless of context and jurisdiction,” Mr Saubern says. “ACER is very pleased that it can provide a platform for the continuation of this important work.

“In the coming weeks we will be reaching out to a number of stakeholders in the education community, including principals’ associations, education systems, leadership centres and others, to invite them to take an active role in the program.”

The Australian Principal Certification is a clear, evidence-based process for the recognition of principals’ demonstration of the Australian Professional Standard for Principals in action. Dr de Araugo, says this aim has been achieved through the creation of a credible, rigorous and well-researched program designed by the profession for the profession.

“A highlight of working on Principal Certification has been witnessing the very tangible benefits it brings to participating principals,” Dr de Araugo says. “Participants in the program have remarked that preparing for Principal Certification has been the best professional development they have done in their role as principal.

“I am very pleased that ACER has taken up the initiative, so that we can continue to build the profile of the principal profession and advance the best interests of the people who perform this demanding and complex role.

Dr de Araugo will supervise the transition of existing Principal Certification participants to ACER and will manage the program on an ongoing basis.

More information will be available online at www.acer.org in coming weeks, or email Dr Jillian de Araugo at jillian.dearaugo@acer.org.

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Media enquiries: ACER Communications, 03 9277 5582 or 0419 340 058 communications@acer.org