In partnership with the Educational Leadership Consortium, the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development offers the Nova Scotia Instructional Leadership Academy. Programs offered by the Academy are designed to increase school-based instructional leadership and student achievement. NSILA is a three-year program that leads to the award of a Diploma for Instructional Leadership. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development grants the diploma. The Diploma in Instructional leadership signifies that the holders have demonstrated competence in teaching. The Instructional Leadership program is an opportunity for participants to improve their teacher certificates, according to the Education Act Regulations.