The NISL executive development curriculum is designed to teach principals the theory and practice of standards-based instructional leadership. The research and planning for the curriculum included NISL studies of corporate and business school executive-training techniques, U.S. military leadership training and the best school administrator training worldwide. The program is research-based, job-embedded, and taught in cohorts. NISL research also included extensive interviews with school principals and experts in cognitive psychology, organizational studies, sociology, and economics. Leadership teams and local principals study the following curriculum. Phase 1 Course 1 World-Class Schooling: Vision and Goals Unit 1 The Educational Challenge Unit 2 The Principal as Strategic Thinker Unit 3 Standards-Based Instructional Systems Unit 4 The Principal as School Designer Course 2 Focusing on Teaching and Learning Unit 5 Foundations of Effective Learning Unit 6 Leadership for Excellence in Literacy Unit 7 Leadership for Excellence in Math Unit 8 Promoting Professional Knowledge Phase 2 Course 3 Developing Capacity and Commitment Unit 9 The Principal as Instructional Leader Unit 10 The Principal as Team Builder Unit 11 The Principal as Ethical Leader Course 4 Driving for Results Unit 12 The Principal as Driver of Change Unit 13 Leading for Results Unit 14 Final Simulation and Reform Projects Between Phases 1 and 2, members participate in two institutes--one on instructional coaching and the other on facilitation skills.