DLAC Selection Criteria
The Digital Leadership Academy (DLAC) is designed to support collaborative, agency-based teams. Applications are accepted only from teams of 2–3 participants who are endorsed and supported by their agency administrator. Individual applications are not accepted.
Successful applicant teams will reflect a range of roles and perspectives, recognizing that each team member brings unique strengths and expertise. Teams may include teachers, coordinators, classified or support staff, counselors, and/or administrators. Selected teams will demonstrate an interest in educational technology, digital and blended instruction, and the current or emerging use of online tools and resources to support instruction, services, and program improvement.
Team members should be comfortable working with technology and, more importantly, demonstrate a willingness to learn, explore new approaches, and share knowledge with colleagues. Strong time-management and file-management skills are recommended, as teams will collaborate on projects and applied learning activities throughout the two-year academy. Team members must have the ability to travel multiple times a year.
Agency leadership commitment is a critical component of participation. Administrators must affirm their support of the DLAC team for the full two-year duration, including providing reasonable accommodations for participation in online meetings and workshops, as well as release time (without penalty to vacation, sick, or personal leave) for required in-person events, including multiple training sessions in Sacramento and participation in the Technology and Digital Learning Symposium in both years of the academy.
All team members are expected to collaborate closely during the application process and communicate regularly regarding application components. Applicants may revise their responses prior to submission. Once all sections are complete, the administrator will review the full application, designate a team lead, and submit the final application on behalf of the team.
The weighted criteria for selection are:
Team Profiles
Applications are reviewed at the team level to ensure strong alignment with agency goals and sustained engagement.
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Team Composition and Agency Alignment (30%)
The team’s roles and experience directly align with agency priorities and position the agency to advance long-term digital learning goals. -
Commitment to Full Participation (30%)
The team and agency clearly demonstrate a firm commitment to full, active participation in all required DLAC activities throughout the entire two-year program. -
Readiness to Build Leadership Capacity (20%)
Team members demonstrate a strong readiness to learn, apply, and expand digital leadership skills that drive instructional improvement and innovation. -
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing (20%)
The team demonstrates a clear commitment to sharing technology integration strategies, building digital capacity, and contributing to collaborative learning within their agency and across the adult education community.
Program Focus
Teams will use relevant program data—such as local data sources, surveys, Continuous Improvement Plans, and other required WIOA Title II or non-WIOA deliverables—to identify priority areas for improvement. This information serves as a foundation for DLAC participation; completion of the academy will provide teams with the skills, tools, and support needed to advance identified program goals.
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Alignment of Program Goals to Digital Learning Priorities (35%)
Program goals clearly focus on technology integration and the effective use of digital, online, or blended learning strategies aligned to identified needs. -
Clarity of Project Priorities and Action Plan (40%)
The team clearly identifies priority areas and outlines specific, achievable plans for a DLAC project that supports program improvement and student outcomes. -
Administrative Support and Release Time Commitment (15%)
Agency administration demonstrates a clear commitment to providing release time and support necessary for full participation in DLAC activities. -
Technology Capacity and Technical Support (10%)
The agency demonstrates the capacity to provide appropriate equipment, access, and technical support to successfully implement DLAC-related work.
Please submit one team per agency. In addition to the weighted criteria above, the selection committee will consider overall balance across program focus areas and geographic regions when finalizing cohort selections.
Additional Information
If you have questions or need more information, please contact:
Ana Mendoza-Santiago, OTAN
asantiago@scoe.net