Sylvia Pirtle
Program Associate
Sylvia Pirtle is a Program Associate with SEDL's Improving School Performance program. Ms. Pirtle's current work centers on building the capacity of leadership at all levels of the educational system. She provides technical assistance in instructional leadership, data-driven decision making, and leadership for systemic reform. She has also provided technical assistance to guide state departments of education in developing profiles of their statewide systems of support and planning for system improvement.
Contact Information
You may contact Sylvia Pirtle at 512-391-6545
- Leadership: Ms. Pirtle’s current work includes providing state education agencies and regional educational service centers with capacity-building assistance and a model for working systemically to increase student achievement.
- Turning Around Schools: Ms. Pirtle provides schools with technical assistance and recommendations for increasing and sustaining student outcomes. This technical assistance includes building the capacity of leaders to facilitate change in how schools and classrooms operate to increase and sustain student achievement.
- Statewide Systems of Support: Ms. Pirtle has provided technical assistance and guidance to state departments of education in developing profiles of their statewide systems of support and plans for improving their delivery of services to districts and schools in need of improvement.
Prior to joining SEDL in 2007, Ms. Pirtle served for 31 years in urban and Title I schools as a principal, assistant principal, and teacher. She served as a principal of a high-performing Title I school and was selected to lead an underperforming school through a quick turnaround. In addition, Ms. Pirtle was selected to mentor principals of Title I schools in need of guidance in effective leadership to promote systemic change and improved academic achievement for all students. Education
Ms. Pirtle holds a BS in elementary education and an administrative certification from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas State University) in San Marcos, Texas. She also holds an MEd in curriculum and instruction from the University of Texas at Austin. SEDL Publications
- Rapid Response: School Restructuring (2009)
- Rapid Response: Strategies for Improving Achievement in High-Needs Schools (2008)
- Pirtle, S. S., Schoenberger, J., Williams, H., McCann, E. (2009, June–August). Alaska Department of Education & early development statewide systems of support. Series of sessions presented to Alaska Department of Education staff to support and plan for system improvement. Lead facilitator for process.
- Pirtle, S. S., Brown, D., Davis, M., McCann, E., Tennebaum, I., & Tobia, E. (2008, August–2009, September). Mississippi Department of Education statewide systems of support. Series of sessions presented to Mississippi Department of Education staff to support and plan for system improvement. Lead facilitator for process.
- McCann, E., & Pirtle, S. S. (2008, June/July). Part 1: Program evaluation; Part 2: Implementing programs with fidelity. Session presented at the Annual Conference of the Mississippi Association of Federal Education Program Directors, Biloxi, MS.
- Pirtle, S. S., Davis, M., & Yanez, M. (2009, February–March). English language learner parent focus group. Focus groups of parents of English language learners about linguistic accommodations.
- Pirtle, S. S., Joyner, S., & Williams, H. (2009, January–February). English language learner focus group for rural and urban school administrators and staff. Focus groups of administrators and school staff about linguistic accommodations.
