» The Coalition of Inclusive School Leaders (CISL) Initiative

Overview

The Coalition of Inclusive School Leaders focuses on increasing knowledge, skills, and abilities in equity, access, and inclusion for students with disabilities; with an intentional focus on intersectional identities such as students with disabilities who are Black and Latinx, English Language Learners, and experiencing poverty.

Target Audience

PK-12 Administrators, Principals, District Leaders, Leadership Faculty, Individuals interested or enrolled in administrator preparation programs.

Grounded in Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and CEEDAR Center’s, Professional Standards for Educational Leaders and Promoting Principal Leadership for the Success of Student with Disabilities, leaders will:

Learn concrete strategies for implementing inclusive practices for students with disabilities
Join a coalition of leaders focused on advancing equity and justice
Connect with local and national experts advancing social justice for all students
Help shape the future of administrative services expectations

Build skills and knowledge to blend inclusive practices, and MTSS practices that are aligned with the California Professional Standards for Education Leaders (CPSEL)
Develop innovative systems change approaches focused on equity and access for all students

Coalition Opportunities

Attend Leadership Institute aligned with CA- MTSS Professional Learning Institute conference (held each Summer)
Collaborate and connect with leaders across the state

Actively participate in Networked Improvement Community (NIC) for Inclusive Leadership
Engage in professional learning opportunities

CISL Informational Flyer

Join TPI's CISL at the CA MTSS Professional Learning Institute July 15 - 17, 2025 in Anaheim, CA. We will have a 7 - session CISL strand, including the pre-conference session. More details to come!

2024 CA MTSS Professional Learning Institute Conference

To learn more about the Coalition of Inclusive School Leaders, please contact karadams@chapman.edu.

CISL Development Team

Kari Adams, M.A.

Inclusive Leadership Center Director

Thompson Policy Institute on Disability

karadams@chapman.edu

Kari Adams has worked in the education field since 2006. She has worked in various educational roles as a special education teacher, Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), and as special education administrator for nine years. For the past 13 years, Kari has worked at Newport-Mesa Unified School District, leading district-wide efforts focused on inclusion, literacy, and building the capacity of teachers and leaders focused on improving the educational outcomes for students with disabilities. She is currently the President-Elect of the Association of School Administrators (ACSA) Region 17. Kari also teaches part-time in the teacher education program at the Attallah College of Educational Studies at Chapman University.