Department of Education
Kevin Huffman, Commissioner

General Information

TASL Attendance Requirements

Under the direction of the Office of Instructional Leadership, the Tennessee Academy for School leaders (TASL) provides high-quality professional development opportunities for school administrators and supervisors.  In accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated 49-5-5703, school administrators and supervisors are required to attend TASL-approved professional development activities.  Administrators and supervisors who spend fifty percent or more of their time in administrative and supervisory duties are subject to this requirement.

As of July 1, 2006, the TASL cycle changed from five years to two years.  Administrators and supervisors must attend 28 hours of TASL-approved professional development within two years of  the cycle beginning date.

School administrators and supervisors with fifteen or more years of Tennessee experience as administrators or supervisors may be exempted from participation in TASL attendance unless the local board of education requires such attendance.  Applications for exemption must be requested from the TASL office.

Failure to comply with the attendance requirement may result in suspension or loss of the administrative endorsement. 

TASL Credit

TASL credit hours may be earned through both TASL-sponsored professional development events and TASL-approved professional development provided by other agencies or organizations.  TASL credit is awarded upon completion of the approved professional development events.  Event organizers or sponsors are responsible for reporting attendance to the TASL office.

Participant Cost

TASL-sponsored professional development programs and all required materials are provided free of charge to eligible administrators.  Participants are responsible for their own travel-related costs.  TASL-approved events sponsored by outside entities may have associated costs.

Team Events

TASL-sponsored team events require at least one administrator to be on each team.  When registering, the administrator must complete the application and indicate how many members will be on the team.  Once a team is accepted into the event, a list of team members must be submitted.  Team substitutions may be made after acceptance, as long as the registering administrator is still the leader of the team.

Cancellations

If you have been accepted into a TASL event and find that you are unable to attend, please do not send another person in your place.  Contact Debbie Hines (debbie.w.hines@tn.gov) immediately to cancel your reservation.  This will allow individuals on the waiting list to be notified.