Principal Act Application Process

1. 1

   Go to https://aim.alsde.edu to log into your AIM account.

2. 2

   Enter your ALSDE ID # or email address and password, then select Log In.

3. 3

   Once logged in, click the tile labeled ACE to access the Certification Dashboard.

   Trouble logging in? For issues logging into an existing AIM account, contact the ALSDE help desk at 334-694-4777 or servicedesk@alsde.edu with your full name, ALSDE ID, and a description of the issue. Allow 3–5 business days for a response.

When your LEA notifies you that you are eligible, start your application:

1. 1

   From the dashboard, select New Application and select OK on the notice.

2. 2

   On the Application Wizard welcome screen, select I'M READY, LET'S START.

   
3. 3

   Select the Principal Act Approach, then click Next. (You will only see the approaches you are eligible to pursue.)

   

After selecting the Principal Act Approach, answer the eligibility questions. Each is a Yes/No question that confirms you qualify for the Principal Act stipend. Answer them based on your situation and select Next after each.

1. 1

   Select whether you are employed full-time as a principal or assistant principal. (The law's definitions of each are shown for reference.)

   
2. 2

   Select whether you are employed as an interim principal or assistant principal.

   
3. 3

   Select whether you are retiring at the end of the school year.

   
4. 4

   Select whether your PowerSchool PL transcript reflects at least 30 APLDS Clock Hours between June 1 – April 30 of the current school year.

   
5. 5

   Select whether your transcript reflects APLDS-approved early literacy (Grades K–3) and early numeracy (Grades K–5) professional learning, or is not applicable.

   
6. 6

   Select whether you have completed all steps of the APLDS Evaluation System in the AIM Teaching Effectiveness application.

   
7. 7

   When you have answered all questions, select Launch Application to create your application.

8. 8

   When the application launches, it opens on the Confirm Personal Data screen. In the left panel, Provide Documentation lists two groups: Applicant Responsibility — the items you complete (Confirm Personal Data, Upload APLDS Transcript, Upload APLDS Evaluation) — and School System Responsibility, which your LEA completes. After your items are done, you finish under Review and Sign.

   

   Delete Application: The Delete Application button at the top removes this application entirely. Use it only if you start the application by mistake — a deleted application cannot be recovered. It is available only while the application is still in progress; once you complete and sign it, it can no longer be deleted.

Open Confirm Personal Data and review your information. This data comes from your AIM account — if anything is incorrect, update the information in your AIM account and refresh the application.

1. 1

   Open Upload APLDS Transcript.

2. 2

   Do not upload your transcript until all APLDS Clock Hours for the current school year have been awarded in the PowerSchool PL platform.

3. 3

   Directions for downloading your PowerSchool PL transcript are available at alabamaprincipals.org/professional-learning-guidelines.

4. 4

   Drag and drop your file or select Browse to upload it.

   

   Supported formats: PDF, PNG, JPG/JPEG, DOC/DOCX, TXT, TIFF, XLS/XLSX. Maximum 10 MB per file; password-protected/encrypted files cannot be uploaded.

1. 1

   Open Upload APLDS Evaluation.

2. 2

   Do not upload your evaluation documentation until all steps of the APLDS Evaluation System have been completed and signed by your evaluator.

3. 3

   Directions for accessing the APLDS Evaluation System are available at alabamaprincipals.org/evaluation-system.

4. 4

   Upload your evaluation file the same way (drag and drop or Browse).

   

Once your sections are complete, open Review and Sign, review your application, and sign.

• Check the ACE Portal for updates on your application.
• You will receive message updates in the Message Center of the ACE Portal.
• If you have questions, please contact your employing school system.