CELL School Leadership Initiative

Indiana’s schools are at a pivotal moment. Students with disabilities deserve inclusive, high-quality learning experiences—and administrators are the key to making that vision a reality. The CELL School Leadership Initiative (CSLI) equips school leaders with the skills, confidence, and support needed to lead inclusive systems that improve outcomes for all students.  

Administrators Gain 

  • Confidence in inclusive leadership decisions 
  • Clear frameworks for action for technical and adaptive leadership
  • Shared responsibility across staff 
  • Stronger school culture and student outcomes 
  • Professional growth and credibility 

What Makes CSLI Different 

  • Job-embedded learning  
  • Personalized support from experienced Indiana educators 
  • Designed for systems change, not awareness alone 

CSLI Frequently Asked Questions

CSLI includes three different programs to grow school leaders’ experience in special education and inclusive practices. 

Applications are now closed for the Cohort and ASELI Partnership.

 

CSLI Cohort

Applications are closed. Cohort 2 begins in 2028.

A two-year, job-embedded leadership initiative, building administrators learn to align general and special education, implement evidence-based practices with fidelity, and reduce confusion and conflict around special education.

  • Individual consultation and support for your school context 
  • Built for sustainable systems change—not one-time training 
  • Includes $5000 personal stipend for the two-year engagement in a supportive cohort setting 
  •  Earns over 90 professional growth points for building administrator license renewal 

 Schedule for CSLI Cohort Members (each session is a full day):

Date

Modality

Activity

June 1, 2026                     (3-4:30 pm ET)Online90 minute Orientation Session
July 16, 2026Online (updated as of 4/2/26)Learning Session 1                  
August 2026-----No Session
September 17, 2026OnlineLearning Session 2
October 22, 2026OnlineLearning Session 3
November 13, 2026In-Person              (Location TBD)Learning Session 4
December 2026-----No Session
January 14, 2027OnlineLearning Session 5
February 18, 2027OnlineLearning Session 6
March 2027-----No Session
April 8, 2027OnlineLearning Session 7
May 2027OnlineIndividual Check-Ins
June 2027In-Person                  (Bloomington, IN)Learning Session 8

 CSLI Cohort members can expect to have about 2 hours of related work a week to support their engagement and growth.

Year 2 (2027-2028) will be implementation of an action plan in your school building with 1:1 support from CSLI faculty, and no monthly learning sessions.

Applications are closed. The next ASELI partnership begins in late Spring 2027.

This pairs an aspiring leader in special education with their building administrator for a yearlong program to strengthen their school's capacity to lead for unified systems.

  • Support for coordinating work in your specific school context through ICASE successful ASELI program 
  • Includes $3000 stipend for the year’s work in a collaborative setting 
  • Earns over 90 professional growth points for building administrator license renewal 

 

Special Education Coursework for Director Licensure

Participants already enrolled in the MS.Ed. in Principal Leadership at IUB or IUI can join the Special Education Director's program with tuition paid for.

  • Build district’s capacity for leadership in special education 
  • Encourages a deeper pool of special education leaders around the state 

Apply Now

Application deadline is November 1, 2026

Each CSLI pathway is designed to address a distinct leadership need—from building-level systems change, to developing internal special education leadership capacity, to strengthening the statewide pipeline of special education leaders. 

This is your opportunity to lead with clarity, confidence, and impact—while strengthening your school culture and improving outcomes for students with disabilities.  Watch for announcements when application open again (late spring 2027 and 2028)!

 Questions? Email CSLI

CELL School Leadership Initiative (CSLI) is an Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) SPDG Grant Funded Initiative through the Indiana Department of Education, Office of Special Education.

CSLI is funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs Grant No. H323A250015. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned in the publication is intended or inferred. Please cite as: CSLI (2025). CELL School Leadership Initiative.