Who is it for?
The Institute for District Administrators is designed to support experienced district administrators with the knowledge, skills, and characteristics needed to serve on and lead highly effective district teams. District-level administrators, defined as superintendents’ designees, assistant superintendents, directors, coordinators, supervisors, and other district staff are eligible to enroll.
What does it look like?
IDA is a statewide professional learning experience designed to prepare district-level leaders to support principals, fostering a sense of purpose and confidence that directly improves teaching and learning. IDA is grounded in research on central office transformation to improve student achievement. Participants engage in targeted leadership assessments to build self‑awareness and leadership effectiveness. Coursework emphasizes how high‑performing districts redesign central office work to support teaching and learning. Graduates of IDA will be equipped to elevate principal practice, strengthen instructional quality, and ultimately improve academic outcomes for students across South Carolina.
Three office priorities personalization, collective leadership and equity and access to effective instruction are integrated throughout the curriculum. IDA consists of four two-day sessions with eight total sessions over the course of seven months. The cohort will include strategies like small and large group discussion, teamwork, Socratic seminars, simulations, scenarios, self-reflection, 360° feedback, problem solving, inquiry cycles, case studies, study teams, and networking. What makes IDA unique is that participants take the lead in their learning using job embedded experiences and personalization to support their role as district level leaders. With Instructional Leadership at its core, participants will leverage key strategies to address instructional challenges and shifts in the field of education. Participants must attend all class sessions, complete pre-service work, and complete homework assignments to receive 80 renewal credits.
Participants will also complete job-embedded fieldwork, including: 1) An inquiry cycle where participants identify a high-yield strategy aligned with a district need. Participants test the strategy, gather data, and report to the group and 2) A micro-credential. Ideally, the micro-credential should be tied to a competency participants want to validate or an area they would like to improve professionally.
Per the Required Credentials for Professional Staff Members in the Instructional Programs of South Carolina’s Public Schools, completion of the Institute for District Administrators course may serve as part of qualifications for acceptable certification for some supervisory and instructionally focused positions. In addition, participants will expand their ability to collaborate, share ideas, and work together across district lines.
What are people saying?
- I would recommend IDA “to learn more about systems leadership and how all leadership components work together to create positive culture and climate across the educational system.”
- I would recommend IDA “to develop skills for leading and CONNECTING more collaborative teams across a large district.”
- I would recommend IDA “to further leadership skills to support administrators on how to cultivate an inclusive learning environment with all students.”
What do you need to know?
Each session of IDA runs from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm with an hour for lunch. Superintendent or designee permission is required prior to session one and attendance is required for all sessions. Participants are eligible for 80 renewal credits upon completion of all sessions and required work. Participant/school/district are responsible for travel and/or hotel fee, if applicable.
There is a fee associated with this course.
South Carolina Department of Education memo
For additional information, please see the registration page or contact Dr. Gerard Edwards, gedwards@ed.sc.gov, 803-896-0224
Cohort 30
IDA 30 Registration
- May 21, 2026 (virtual orientation)
- June 9 - 10, 2026, Dr. Gilbert G. Woolard Technology Center, 70 Innovation Way, Camden, SC 29020
- September 3 - 4, 2026, South Carolina Department of Education, 849 Learning Lane, West Columbia, SC 29172
- October 27 - 28, 2026, Dr. Gilbert G. Woolard Technology Center, 70 Innovation Way, Camden, SC 29020
- January 21 - 22, 2027, South Carolina Department of Education, 849 Learning Lane, West Columbia, SC 29172
Application Deadline: May 12, 2026
Cohort 31
IDA 31 Registration
- November 12, 2026 (virtual orientation)
- December 8 - 9, 2026, Dr. Gilbert G. Woolard Technology Center, 70 Innovation Way, Camden, SC 29020
- February 9 - 10, 2027, Dr. Gilbert G. Woolard Technology Center, 70 Innovation Way, Camden, SC 29020
- April 8 - 9, 2027, South Carolina Department of Education, 849 Learning Lane, West Columbia, SC 29172
- June 8 - 9, 2027, Dr. Gilbert G. Woolard Technology Center, 70 Innovation Way, Camden, SC 29020
Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
