EDIL 631B – Practicum in District Administration
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Cooperating Administrator Agreement Form
Evaluation Form (for Cooperating Administrator)
Meeting Dates, Times and Locations
INSTRUCTOR: David Barnett
PHONE: Office (606-783-9378
E-MAIL: d.barnett@moreheadstate.edu
OFFICE: Ginger Hall 503
HOMEPAGE: http://people.morehead-st.edu/fs/d.barnett/
The course is a clinical field experience. The field experience is related to instructional leadership for the district with an emphasis given to the superintendent's responsibilities. Students will work with practicing superintendent's for a minimum of one-hundred (100) clock hours. The field experience will be with a cooperating superintendent who has successfully completed a minimum of three years at the superintendent level and is approved by the education administration faculty.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
The general objectives of the administrative practicum program are to provide the student with opportunities to participate in supervised on-the-job experiences that provide an exposure to the professional growth Specifically, purposes of the instructional leadership practicum are:
To provide the student with specific administrative leadership training while he/she gains a deeper understanding of the broad range of educational administration activities and responsibilities.
To allow the student to apply administrative theory to practical application of school administrative responsibilities
To instill in the student an understanding of the Administrative Code of Ethics.
To provide the student with a more comprehensive view of educational administration related to management and instructional leadership.
To aid the student in gaining a self-assurance in administrative decision-making through analysis of methods, strategies, theories, mission, vision and beliefs.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAM:
“Educators as Architects” is the conceptual framework upon which the College of Education is built. The field experience environment for this practicum will provide students opportunities to encounter the processes and concepts of district level administrative responsibilities through practical application of knowledge attained from prior administrative courses. The advanced graduate student in Educational Administration will have the opportunity to engage in a holistic approach to administrative leadership that is not afforded through classroom course offerings. In addition, the student will be encouraged to experiment with his/her teaching and learning philosophy and develop increased awareness of effective practices of instructional leadership as they relate to the ISLLC Standards and the Standards and Indicators for School Improvement.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
The student must hold a valid teaching certificate; a master’s degree and have a minimum of three years of satisfactory teaching experience.
Prior to taking the class students must have completed approximately two-thirds of the required course work in the superintendent's certification program.
The student must secure a commitment from a public school district superintendent who will agree to accept a practicum student assignment.
The student must secure approval from the educational administration advisor prior to registration for the practicum.
The student must spend a minimum of one-hundred (100) clock hours with the assigned cooperating superintendent and be involved in assigned tasks related to the practicum. (All activities/projects must directly correlate with the ISLLC Standards).
The student must prepare a reflection log of activities covering the practicum and commit to a major project, as determined jointly by the student and the cooperating administrator and approved by the university practicum supervisor. The project shall include personal/professional reflections relating to the practicum experiences. Logs and/or major project assignments should be dated and signed by the student and the cooperating administrator and submitted to the university professor by specified due dates.
The student must attend any designated practicum seminars that are required.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COOPERATING ADMINISTRATOR:
The cooperating administrator works closely with the student, schedules conferences regularly, and devotes a sufficient amount of time to assist the student in work assignments to assure adequate opportunities for professional development.
The cooperating administrator also evaluates the student in consultation with the university practicum supervisor. The student is limited to five (5) hours of duty such as bus, cafeteria, and ball games or other related extra curricular responsibilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNIVERSITY SUPERVISOR:
The university supervisor engages in four essential roles during the semester practicum experience: planning, coordinating, supporting and evaluating. The supervisor may periodically visit on-site for consultation with the student and/or the cooperating administrator.
METHOD OF EVALUATION:
The grade of “B” indicates that all requirements are met with work at an above average level for graduate students. All assignments must be completed and submitted by the due dates specified. The grade of “A” indicates that all requirements are exceeded with superior quality work. The student is evaluated by the university practicum supervisor, with input from the cooperative administrator supervisor, at the end of the semester. Evaluation is based on the following criteria:
Leadership ability
Ability to identify, define, and solve problems
Knowledge and understanding of ISLLC Standards and the Standards and Indicators for School Improvement
Evidence of skill in evaluation of programs and personnel
Timely submission of required assignments
Quality of final project assignments
Quality of the project/activity log
PRACTICUM ACTIVITY AREAS:
Administrative activity areas to be addressed, as related to the ISLLC Standards and the Standards and Indicators for School Improvement include:
Organization and administration
School finance
Personnel
School housing (buildings and maintenance)
School-community relations
Curriculum planning and supervision
Transportation and auxiliary services
Education agencies and professional organizations
Board-superintendent-principal relations
Student personnel
Research and professional study
Other suitable activities related to ISLLC Standards
The practicum is designed opportunities to include experiences related to the following six Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Standards.
Standard 1 – A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared by the school community.
Standard 2 – A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a school culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth.
Standard 3 - A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by ensuring management of the organization operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.
Standard 4 - A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by collaborating with families and community members, responding to diverse community interests and needs, and mobilizing community resources.
Standard 5 – A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity, fairness and in an ethical manner.
Standard 6 - A school administrator is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by understanding and responding to and influencing the larger political, social and economic, legal and cultural context.
TECHNOLOGY EXPECTATIONS:
Assignments are to be word-processed. Students will be required to establish virtual communication with one another and with the instructor at d.barnett@moreheadstate.edu.
AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
Students whose disabilities fall within ADA can request assistance through the MSU Academic Support Services. For more information or assistance, call (606) 783-2005.
ACADEMIC ETHICS:
The MSU: Academic Honesty Policy” published in the Undergraduate Catalog 2000-2002 under “General Information” listed as “university-wide policy”, starts on page number 30 and reflects the guidelines for dealing with acts of academic dishonesty. Details on the ethical standards of reporting information can be found in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
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