To receive a license in a school administrator category in Wisconsin, an applicant shall complete an approved program in school administration and demonstrate proficient performance in the knowledge, skills and dispositions under all of the following standards.

1. The administrator has an understanding of and demonstrates competence in the Ten Teacher Standards (http://dpi.state.wi.us/tepdl/stand10.html).
   
2. The administrator leads by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared by the school community.
   
3. The administrator manages by advocating, nurturing and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to pupil learning and staff professional growth.
   
4. The administrator ensures management of the organization, operations, finances, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
   
5. The administrator models collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
   
6. The administrator acts with integrity, fairness, and in an ethical manner.
   
7. The administrator understands, responds to, and interacts with the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context that affects schooling.
   

There are 426 school districts in Wisconsin, almost all lead by a district administrator. Licensure by the Department of Public Instruction (license #03) is required, as is at least a Master's degree in education, educational administration, or a related field.

Public School Special Education Director
The special education director of a school district or a CESA is responsible to the superintendent, and works with principals, school personnel, and parents to support students eligible for special education. The special education director administers and supervises special education programs and services.
The special education director must stay informed of all legal requirements that govern special education, as he/she is responsible for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. He/she is also responsible for coordinating special education services with other services, making referrals, and maintaining all required documentation. There generally is one special education director per school district, although smaller districts sometimes share a director. Each of the twelve CESA's also has a special education director. A Master's degree in special education is required, along with DPI licensure as a special education director (license #80.)

Public School Principal
The principal is responsible for the day to-day operations and educational programs usually within a single building. The principal must be very flexible and resourceful, have strong management skills, and broad knowledge of education and curriculum. The principal deals with issues relating to what children are taught, the supervision of staff, the coordination of services for children that may involve outside agencies, and many other matters. Principals are key people in determining the learning climate of a school, and therefore the success of students. Principals work with teachers to ensure student success. Licensure by the Department of Public Instruction (license #51) is required, as is previous teaching experience and a Master's degree in education, educational administration, or a related field.

Licensed Child Care Center Administrator
The center administrator is the person responsible for management of a group child care center, including personnel, finance, physical plant, and day-to-day operation of the center. A child care administrator must be at least 21 years of age and have completed high school or the equivalent. The administrator must have one year of experience as a manager or must have completed one course approved by Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) in business or program administration. In addition, the administrator must have completed one year as a center director or child care teacher in a licensed child care center or kindergarten, or have completed one credit or non-credit DHFS-approved course in early childhood education. In many instances, the same individual performs both administrator and director duties.

Licensed Child Care Center Director
The center director is the person responsible for the supervision of the center's program for children and for the supervision of center staff. A child care center director must be at least 21 years of age and have completed high school or its equivalent. According to the DHFS Wisconsin Administrative Code, there are many combinations of experience and education that qualify an individual for child care center director. Refer to Wisconsin Administrative Code, HFS 46 (www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/hfs/hfs046.pdf) for specific information.

Head Start or Early Head Start Director/Agency Administrator
Wisconsin's 57 Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide comprehensive services for low-income families and their young children. In each of these service areas, a director or agency administrator assumes oversight for all aspects of programming. He/she supervises Head Start managers and other staff to assure that the program meets federal Head Start Performance Standards. Directors are responsible for their program's human resource management, fiscal operations, facilities management and daily operations. This position also involves coordination with a variety of community partnerships, collaborative projects, funding sources and governing bodies.

Most Head Start and Early Head Start programs prefer that the person in this position have attained at least a Bachelor's degree. Directors also need at least two years experience in a Head Start or related program, as well as demonstrated skills and abilities in human services program administration.

Head Start Site Coordinator/Management Team Member
Some Head Start programs in Wisconsin have multiple sites within their service area, depending on the size of the low-income population. Wisconsin Head Start programs provide site supervision through a variety of employee positions. Many have a site supervisor or manager whose primary responsibility is the supervision and management of the site and its staff. Other programs employ a lead teacher director to manage site operations, supervise a small number of employees, and work with children. This model is generally used where there are smaller numbers of children and staff.

The site coordinator/manager is a generalist who is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the site's child and family services. This typically includes supporting all site staff, ensuring compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, overseeing the site budget, recruiting new staff, helping to provide training, monitoring the enrollment and screening of children, and overseeing the family involvement and community partnership work. The site manager must clearly understand the Head Start philosophy and how its components are integrated. He/she must place children first, be a careful listener, lead meetings, and be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Head Start managers are responsible for specific service areas: education, social services, parent involvement, health, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, professional development and implementation of federal Head Start Performance Standards. These service experts often supervise Head Start staff and have community collaboration responsibilities. These positions usually require a Bachelor's degree, plus experience in a Head Start or related program.

Child Care Resource and Referral Director
This position may involve supervision of all the services delivered by an agency, or it may be a position within an agency. In either case, the work involves overseeing staff that are implementing child care training and referral programs, and ensuring that funding requirements are met. Staff supervision, report writing, budget management, and collaboration with other agencies are important activities in this position.

Family Resource Center Director
Family Resource Centers provide a variety of support, prevention, and education activities for families and their young children. The director or agency administrator assumes oversight for all aspects of programming including supervision of staff and volunteers. Directors are responsible for their program's fiscal operations, often including writing grants and seeking local funding to support program activities. The director must develop relationships with many community programs to coordinate activities and connect with families.

Most Family Resource Center Directors attained at least a Bachelor's degree and have experience in providing direct services to children and families and program administration.