Frequently Asked Questions

Check out the updated FAQs for the 2025-26 school year!

General Questions

Q1: What is the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act?
A1: The School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act (§§ 16-6I-1 — 16-6I-7) was signed into law in June 2023 to:
(1) create and implement the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System for public K-12 education,
(2) provide for the creation and implementation of a mentoring program for new principals and a continuing professional learning program for
principals and assistant principals, and
(3) provide annual stipends for principals and assistant principals who satisfactorily complete the requirements of the Alabama Principal
Leadership Development System.

Q2: Why focus on school leadership?
A2: School leaders are critical to student achievement and school success. They lead the work that creates the conditions for quality teaching and learning to occur in a school. For example, they determine how effective teachers are hired, developed, and retained, build a positive school climate, secure necessary resources, and ensure a safe and orderly learning environment. In a recent report synthesizing research on how principals impact students and schools, Grissom et al. (2021) stated that “principals really matter. Indeed, it is difficult to envision an investment with a higher ceiling on its potential return than a successful effort to improve principal leadership” (p. 43).

Q3: What is the goal of the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS) Program?
A3: The overarching goal of the APLDS program is to increase the effectiveness of school administrators resulting in improved academic outcomes for all students. The measures of success are improved principal retention, school climate, and student outcomes (e.g., achievement, growth).

Q4: What are the components of the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS) Program?
A4: There are several components of the program including:
(1) Alabama Standards for School Leadership,
(2) Alabama Principal Leadership Framework,
(3) APLDS Evaluation System,
(4) High-Quality Professional Learning,
(5) Alabama New Principal Mentoring Program, and
(6) Alabama Leadership Academy.
The program will also provide additional resources for schools that have difficulty in recruiting and retaining effective school administrators as well as competitive grants and/or technical assistance for local school districts to develop principal pipeline programs. (Note: Competitive grants will be pending legislative appropriations.)

Q5: What is the design and implementation timeline?
A5: The APLDS program will be developed and implemented in phases with full implementation by the 2029-30 school year. The timeline is outlined in the informational flyer titled "Principal Act Timeline" on the home page.

Q6: Who is eligible to participate in the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS) Program?
A6: The Principal Act and APLDS Program only apply to school principals and assistant principals.

Evaluation System Questions

Q29: How do I access the APLDS Evaluation System?
A29: The APLDS Evaluation System can be accessed through the AIM Teaching Effectiveness (TE) application. If you are unable to access the AIM TE application, please contact your local school district’s Education's Directory Editor. If the school district editor needs assistance, he/she can contact the ALSDE Service desk by emailing servicedesk@alsde.edu or by calling 334-694-4777.

Q30: What are the steps of the APLDS Evaluation System?
A30: The APLDS Evaluation includes the following steps:

Step 1. School Administrator Position: Select the school administrator position that best describes you (e.g., assistant principal).

Step 2. Professional Learning Plan (PLP): This collaboratively developed plan must include:
   - at least one goal for student academic growth and/or achievement
- at least one goal for school climate
- plan for participating in high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list

Step 3. Certification of Stipend Eligibility: The school administrator completes an APLDS program orientation for the school year.
Additionally, the school administrator and evaluator certify stipend eligibility criteria.

Step 4. Evidence: Submit meaningful evidence that demonstrates:
   - meeting and/or making progress towards meeting achievement/growth and school climate PLP goals
   - application of new learning from participating in high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list
   - (new principals only) completion of new principal mentoring program (e.g., Alabama New Principal Mentoring Program) materials

Step 5. Certification of Completion: The school administrator and evaluator must certify (in)completion of all Alabama Principal Leadership
Development System (APLDS) program requirements in accordance with the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act (§§ 16-6I).

Q31: Can I complete the APLDS Evaluation System if I am a school administrator but do not qualify for the stipend from the ALSDE?
A31: Yes. If you are a principal or assistant principal, you can still complete the APLDS Evaluation System if you are not eligible for the stipend from the ALSDE (see Q&A 13 for stipend eligibility criteria). In Step 5. Certification of Completion, please select the third option that states, "I was not eligible for the stipend from the ALSDE but successfully completed the APLDS Evaluation System."

Q32: Where can I find more information about the APLDS Evaluation System such as examples, directions, and deadlines?
A32: You can access several resources by clicking on the Evaluation System tab at the top of this website.

Q33: What evaluation system will district administrators use?
A33: LEADAlabama is replaced by the APLDS Evaluation System only for principals and assistant principals. District administrators will still have the option to participate in the LEADAlabama formative evaluation system or use the school district’s selected or developed system.

Stipend and Eligibility Questions

Q7: How is a principal and assistant principal defined?

A7: During the 2025 legislative session, a new statute related to the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Act (2023-340) was signed into law (Act 2025-286). For the purposes of this law, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL. An individual who is certified for the position of assistant principal, as prescribed by the board, and who is employed full-time by a local board of education as an administrator of a public school to assist the principal in managing and leading the school. This term includes a Career and Technical Education Building Administrator, Alternative School Administrator, or similar position approved by the State Department of Education, who is housed full-time at a standalone facility, who assists with overseeing the day-to-day schedule and operations in that facility, and helps supervise teachers at that facility in a full-time capacity.
PRINCIPAL. An individual who is certified for the position of principal, as prescribed by the board, and who is employed full-time by a local board of education as the chief school administrator of a public school. This shall include a Career and Technical Education Building Administrator, Alternative School Administrator, or similar position approved by the State Department of Education, who is housed full-time at a standalone facility, oversees the day-to-day schedule and operations in that facility, and supervises teachers at that facility in a full-time capacity.

Q8: Do standalone facilities with full-time Career and Technical Education building administrators or alternative school administrators need separate school codes to qualify for the Principal Act stipend?

A8: Yes, the administrators must be assigned to a CTE school or alternative school with a unique school code.

Q9: What are eligible principals and assistant principals required to do for the annual stipend?
A9: The stipend is based on successful completion of all Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS) program requirements. The requirements increase over time as the Principal Act and APLDS program are fully implemented and differ for principals and assistant principals to reflect the scope of responsibilities assigned to the positions. Additionally, the APLDS program includes different components to support the needs of new principals within their first and second year in the position. To further clarify APLDS program requirements, see Q&A 10-13.

Q10: I am a principal whose contract started before July 1, 2024. How can I successfully complete all APLDS program requirements for the 2025-26 school year?
A10: You are considered an existing principal. To successfully complete all program requirements, you will need to:

(1) Complete the APLDS Evaluation System (accessed through the AIM Teaching Effectiveness application) which includes the following:

Step 1. School Administrator Position

Step 2. Professional Learning Plan (PLP)

Step 3. Certification of Stipend Eligibility

Step 4. Evidence

Step 5. Certification of Completion

(2) Complete at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours of high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list (as identified in the PLP)

Note: Elementary school administrators are required to complete early literacy (K-3) and early numeracy (K-5) professional learning

Q11: I am a first-time principal whose contract started between October 2, 2024 - October 1, 2025. How can I successfully complete all APLDS program requirements for the 2025-26 school year?
A11: You are considered a new principal for the 2025-26 school year. To successfully complete all program requirements, you will need to:

(1) Complete the APLDS Evaluation System (accessed through the AIM Teaching Effectiveness application) which includes the following:

Step 1. School Administrator Position

Step 2. Professional Learning Plan (PLP)

Step 3. Certification of Stipend Eligibility

Step 4. Evidence

Step 5. Certification of Completion

(2) Complete at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours of high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list (as identified in the PLP)

Note: Elementary school administrators are required to complete early literacy (K-3) and early numeracy (K-5) professional learning

(3) Complete Year 1 of a state-approved new principal mentoring program (e.g., Alabama New Principal Mentoring Program)

Q12: I am a second-year principal contracted by October 1, 2024 and have successfully completed Year 1 of a state-approved new principal mentoring program. How can I successfully complete all APLDS program requirements for the 2025-26 school year?
A12: You are considered a new principal for the 2025-26 school year. To successfully complete all program requirements, you will need to:

(1) Complete the APLDS Evaluation System (accessed through the AIM Teaching Effectiveness application) which includes the following:

Step 1. School Administrator Position

Step 2. Professional Learning Plan (PLP)

Step 3. Certification of Stipend Eligibility

Step 4. Evidence

Step 5. Certification of Completion

(2) Complete at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours of high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list (as identified in the PLP)

Note: Elementary school administrators are required to complete early literacy (K-3) and early numeracy (K-5) professional learning

(3) Complete Year 2 of a state-approved new principal mentoring program (e.g., Alabama New Principal Mentoring Program)

Q13: I am an assistant principal. How can I successfully complete all APLDS program requirements for the 2025-26 school year?
A13: There is not a distinction between new or existing assistant principals in terms of APLDS program requirements. To successfully complete all program requirements for the 2025-26 school year and receive the annual stipend, you will need to:

(1) Complete the APLDS Evaluation System (accessed through the AIM Teaching Effectiveness application) which includes the following:

Step 1. School Administrator Position

Step 2. Professional Learning Plan (PLP)

Step 3. Certification of Stipend Eligibility

Step 4. Evidence

Step 5. Certification of Completion

(2) Complete at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours of high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list (as identified in the PLP)

Note: Elementary school administrators are required to complete early literacy (K-3) and early numeracy (K-5) professional learning

Q14: How much are the Principal Act stipends for principals and assistant principals?
A14: Eligible principals and assistant principals who successfully complete the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS) program requirements will receive the following:

Principals: up to $10,000 and up to an additional $5,000 for serving high-poverty and/or low-performing schools
Assistant Principals: up to $5,000 and up to an additional $2,500 for serving high-poverty and/or low-performing schools

Q15: What are the stipend eligibility requirements for the base supplement and additional supplement?

A15: The ALSDE will provide an annual base supplement to an eligible principal or assistant principal who successfully completes the Alabama Principal Leadership Development System (APLDS) program.

In order to be eligible for the base supplement in the position of principal, an individual must meet ALL of the following criteria which are verified by the Superintendent and Chief School Financial Officer (CSFO):

Employed as a full-time principal by October 1, 2025 in an Alabama public PreK-12 school that is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 financial reports submitted to the ALSDE
Holds a valid Leadership Certificate* in Alabama by October 1, 2025
Assigned a Principal staff position in the Education Directory application for the school(s) at which they are employed and not assigned a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent staff position
Coded as a Principal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 financial reports submitted to the ALSDE in October 2025
Meets the law’s definition of a principal (employed full-time by a local board of education as the chief school administrator of a public school; this includes a Career and Technical Education Building Administrator, Alternative School Administrator, or similar position approved by the State Department of Education, who is housed full-time at a standalone facility, oversees the day-to-day schedule and operations in that facility, and supervises teachers at that facility in a full-time capacity)
Does not serve in an interim position.

In order to be eligible for the base supplement in the position of assistant principal, an individual must meet ALL of the following criteria which are verified by the Superintendent and Chief School Financial Officer (CSFO):

Employed as a full-time assistant principal by October 1, 2025 in an Alabama public PreK-12 school that is included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 financial reports submitted to the ALSDE
Holds a valid Leadership Certificate* in Alabama by October 1, 2025
Assigned an Assistant Principal staff position in the Education Directory application for the school(s) at which they are employed and not assigned a Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent staff position
Coded as a Principal in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 financial reports submitted to the ALSDE in October 2025
Meets the law’s definition of an assistant principal (employed full-time by a local board of education as an administrator of a public school to assist the principal in managing and leading the school or serve as a Career and Technical Education building administrator, alternative school administrator, or similar position approved by the State Department of Education who is housed full-time at a standalone facility and assist with overseeing the day-to-day schedule and operations in that facility, and help supervise teachers at that facility in a full-time capacity)
Does not serve in an interim position.

*Valid Alabama Leadership Certificates include the following:

Class AA, Instructional Leader (211)
Class A, Career and Technical Administrator (096)
Class A, Educational Administrator (081)
Class B, Educational Administrator (EAP)
Class A, Instructional Leader (210)
Class AA, Career and Technical Administrator (097)
Class AA, Supervisor (039)
Class AA, Supervisor of Instruction (067)
Class A, Supervisor of Instruction (063)
Class AA, Educational Administrator (082)
Class A, Supervisor (002)

The ALSDE will also provide an additional supplement to principals and assistant principals who are eligible for the base supplement and serve in a low-performing school or high-poverty school as identified by the law. In order to be eligible for the additional supplement, an individual must meet all of the base supplement criteria in addition the following criteria which are verified by the Superintendent and Chief School Financial Officer (CSFO):

School site reports student enrollment
School site meets at least one of the following criteria:

1. Direct certification of free and reduced federal lunch student percentage of 75 percent or greater as determined by the most recent data
2. Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school
3. D or F grade as defined by the Alabama Education Report Card
4. Full-support school (Alabama Literacy Act)
5. Full support school (Alabama Numeracy Act)

Q16: If I am not a full-time principal or assistant principal, will I be eligible for the stipend from the ALSDE?
A16: No, only full-time principals or assistant principals (1.0 FTE) will be eligible.

Q17: Will principals and assistant principals who are locally funded also be eligible to receive the stipend from the ALSDE?
A17: Yes.

Q18: Are interim principals and assistant principals eligible for the stipend from the ALSDE?

A18: No, a school administrator serving in an interim position is not eligible for the Principal Act stipend.

Q19: I am a superintendent/assistant superintendent and principal. Do I qualify for the stipend from the ALSDE?

A19: No, superintendents/assistant superintendents are not eligible for the Principal Act stipend.

Q20: Will a principal or assistant principal who is hired after the start of the school year be eligible for the stipend from the ALSDE?

A20: A principal or assistant principal must be employed in the position no later than October 1, 2025 in order to be eligible this school year.

Q21: Is there an application process that principals and assistant principals will need to complete in order to be eligible for the stipend from the ALSDE?

A21: No.

Q22: How will the stipends for principals and assistant principals be allocated?
A22: Stipends will be allocated in full to local school districts once they certify that each principal and assistant principal has successfully completed all program requirements. Prorated or partial stipend amounts will not be allocated by the ALSDE. Eligible school administrators who successfully complete all requirements of the APLDS program should expect their stipend approximately 6-8 weeks after all school administrators in a district have certified their program completion through the APLDS Evaluation System. Principal Act stipends are processed separately for school administrators who are retiring once they complete the school year.

Q23: Will I still receive the stipend if I successfully complete all program requirements by May 1, 2026 but retire before the start of the school next school year?
A23: Yes, requirements of the APLDS program must be successfully completed by May 1, 2026 if a school administrator is retiring at the end of the 2025-26 school year. However, an eligible school administrator must serve in the position for the entire academic school year to receive the stipend.

Q24. Can someone who does not serve in a position for a full year be eligible for the stipend?
A24: No, the principal or assistant principal must serve in the position for the full academic year in order to be eligible for the stipend. However, an assistant principal who moves into the principalship after October 1, 2025 will not be eligible for the principal stipend until the following year but will still be eligible for the assistant principal stipend if he/she meets all stipend eligibility criteria (see Q&A 13).

Q25: I have successfully completed all program requirements for the 2025-26 school year and served in my school administrator position for the full year. However, I will retire over the summer before the next school year. Will the 2025-26 school year stipend count toward my average final salary for retirement (average of the highest three years out of the last 10 years of contribution)?
A25: In order for the stipend to be included, it will have to be paid before the retirement date. The ALSDE will begin processing payments once program requirements are completed and certified in the APLDS Evaluation System (Step 5. Certification of Completion). The district APLDS contact person must notify the ALSDE (Dr. Anna Shepherd-Jones at anna.jones@alsde.edu) as soon as possible when certification has been completed for retirees so that stipends can be processed sooner.

Q26: What schools are considered high-poverty?
A26: High-poverty schools have a direct certification of free and reduced federal lunch student percentage of 75 percent or greater as determined by the most recent data.

Q27: What schools are considered low-performing?
A27: Low-performing schools include those that are identified as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) school, a school with a D or F grade as defined by the Alabama Education Report Card, or a full support as defined by the Alabama Literacy Act or the Alabama Numeracy Act.

Q28: How do principals and assistant principals know if they are eligible for the additional supplement?
A28: A memo will be published with the list of schools eligible for the additional supplement. This list will change each year.

Professional Learning Questions

Q34: What is the professional learning requirement of the APLDS Program?

A34: All principals and assistant principals who are eligible for the stipend from the ALSDE must complete at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours each year from the state-approved list.

Q35: Where can I find the state-approved list?

A35: You can access the state-approved list by clicking on the 2025-26 State-Approved List tab at the top of this website.

Q36: What are the professional learning requirements for elementary school administrators?

A36: Principals and assistant principals who serve grades K-3 and K-5 are required to participate in early literacy and early numeracy state-approved professional learning, respectively. This counts toward the minimum 30 APLDS Clock Hour requirement. There is a filter on the state-approved list to help school administrators easily locate what has been approved for this requirement.

Q37: How will my APLDS Clock Hours be awarded?

A37: All APLDS Clock Hours must be awarded through the PowerSchool Professional Learning platform under the Office of APLDS (Alabama Principal Leadership Development System). Each course in PowerSchool PL must include "APLDS" at the beginning of the title and include APLDS Clock Hours as the credit type.

Q38: How can I track my APLDS Clock Hours?

A38: To review the number of APLDS Clock Hours that have been awarded, you will need to go to your transcript in PowerSchool Professional Learning. You can access directions by clicking on the Professional Learning tab at the top of this website.

Q39: Who do I contact if I cannot find a course or section in PowerSchool Professional Learning from the state-approved list?

A39: Please contact the professional learning provider.

Q40: Who do I contact for more information about professional learning session details (e.g., date, time, location)?

A40: Please contact the professional learning provider.

Q41: Who do I contact if I do not see APLDS Clock Hours on my transcript in PowerSchool Professional Learning for professional learning I have already completed?

A41: Please contact the professional learning provider.

Q42: What is the timeframe to complete at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours?

A42: At least 30 APLDS Clock Hours must be completed and included on transcripts in the PowerSchool PL platform between June 1, 2025 - May 31, 2026.

Note about June 2025 Professional Learning: The 2025-26 PLP will not open until July 1, 2025. It is strongly recommended that school administrators first seek guidance from evaluators whether it will be approved as part of their PLP before attending state-approved professional learning in June 2025 for APLDS Clock Hours. As a reminder, June 2025 state-approved professional learning should be added to the 2025-26 PLP if approved by the evaluator.

Q43: What if I want to participate in high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list that is different from what I included in my PLP?

A43: The PLP will not need to be updated in the APLDS Evaluation System. If a principal or assistant principal participates in high-quality professional learning from the state-approved list that is different from what was outlined in the PLP, it will just need to be approved by the evaluator and included in the evidence step of the APLDS Evaluation System.

Q44: I am in graduate school. Will my graduate courses count as APLDS Clock Hours?

A44: Additional information can be found at the following link: https://www.alabamaprincipals.org/graduate-coursework

Q45: What are the requirements for being on the state-approved list?

A45: In order to be included on the state-approved list, the professional learning experiences must meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Meet the law's definition of high-quality professional learning by providing comprehensive, sustained, job-embedded, and collaborative

approaches to improving the effectiveness of principals and assistant principals in elevating student achievement through professional

study

(2) Align with the Alabama Standards for School Leadership

(3) Align with the Alabama Standards for Professional Learning

Q46: What is the process for superintendents, district administrators, and vendors to request professional learning experiences be approved for APLDS Clock Hours?

A46: Superintendents and district administrators can complete the Principal Act State-Approved Professional Learning Request Form (located on the Professional Learning tab at the top of the website) to request approval to be on the state-approved list for a professional learning experience that is not already approved. Approval is granted for the professional learning experience and not for a professional learning provider. The form is NOT intended for principals and assistant principals to complete. School administrator are encouraged to reach out to the district APLDS program contact for additional guidance.

Q47: How will this impact my certificate in Alabama?

A47: Please contact Educator Certification at edcert@alsde.edu or 334-694-4557 for guidance.

Q48: The law requires at least 5 days of high-quality professional learning days from a state-approved list, and the APLDS program requires at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours. How was the required number of APLDS Clock Hours determined?

A48: A minimum of six (6) hours is required to qualify as a “day” of professional learning. Therefore, principals and assistant principals should complete at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours from the state-approved list each year.

Q49: Will days be added to my contract to reflect the professional learning requirement of the APLDS Program?

A49: No, contracts will not be affected by this program requirement. Local school districts determine contracts for school administrators.