Summer 2009

CapstoneIntroductionsExplanation of Syllabus Review of Schedule

Discuss AssignmentsSelect your two best CR Question responses done in

class Tuesday after class. Off-site folks need to type and submit as an email.

Online CR also due by TuesdayCRs are worth 30 points—graded on thoroughness by

which the response is answered based on the Standards.PLATFORM (50 points) and COMPREHENSIVE PLAN—

Due on Tuesday—Everyone submit as an email. Once I have it graded I will email back to YOU.

Each person will take 10 minutes to share their platform—do NOT read--Know where you stand as a future leader—TALK from your heart as you share your platform…Platforms are best when using figurative language (analogies, similes, or metaphors)… This will be useful as you introduce yourself to your new staff or parents…

Housekeeping InformationGraduation is Friday, July 24th —be there by

6:30.

To get your certification completed—1) School district initiates the form; 2) SBU signs and mails to DESE; 3) Certificate is good for 10 years and can be upgraded with additional PD and next degree

School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA)Missouri has a new principal certification test

beginning FALL 2009Four hours testing time—two separately

timed testsSection I—2 hours 20 minutes--100 multiple

choice questionsSection II—1 hour and 40 minutes--Seven

constructed response questions

Costs of SLLA

Registration Fee $50.00 (Tentative)SLLA Test Fee $325.00 (Tentative)

SLLAMeasures whether an entry-level educational

leader has the standards-relevant knowledge necessary for competent practice

Review additional topics on the new test—See new SLLA Handout posted on Angel

Jigsaw activity—Individually or in groups of 2—Review the assigned TOPIC, given to you by the professor, related to an ISSLC standard. Thumbnail the gist of the standard; share one real-life example that is explicable to this section; share with class

Test Format Section I– 100 multiple choice questions—140

minutes--worth 70 percent of the test

Section II--7 shorter constructed response types of questions in which you have only 10-12 minutes to answer each —100 minutes--worth 30 percent of the test

Test Format – Revolves Around ISLLC Standards

1 Vision and goals—20 % of exam., 18MC, 2 CR

2 Teaching and learning—30% of exam., 25 MC, 3 CR

3 Managing organizational systems and safety—10% of exam., 15 MC, O CR

SLLASix Areas of EmphasisCorrelated to ISLLC Standards—From Handout

4 Collaboration with Key Stakeholders—15% of exam, 21 MC, 0 CR

5 Ethics and Integrity—15% of exam, 21 MC, 0 CR

6 The Educational System—10% of exam, 0 MC, 2 CR

Preparing for SLLA

Practice in dealing with problems in a quick, yet effective manner (connected to what you have learned in classes and noted from ISLLC standards) is the best approach in preparing for the test

Our intent for this class!!!

OPTIONS for taking the testThe School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) is

required for your license as a principal in the State of Missouri. You have some options with regard to the test.

You may take the SLLA and request that SBU send in the appropriate paperwork to apply for your license.

You may take the SLLA and request that SBU not send in the appropriate paperwork to apply for your license. You should be aware that if the cut score of the SLLA is increased and your current score does not meet the new cut score, even if it did at the time you took the test, you will have to retake the test.

You may wait to take the test.

Registering for the TEST go to www.ets.org

click on praxis - the left side list

then click on New School Leaders info on right

Preparing for the ISLLCKnow the STANDARDS but no need to

memorize, but have a great understanding of the descriptors related to each (activity we did earlier)

Think about the type of school leader identified in the Standards and prepare to respond to test questions in a Standards-relevant way

Be aware of the amount of time allocated for each section

Continued Preparation of SLLASample Questions and Scoring Criteria—

study sample questions and scoring guides (we will be doing in class)

Make sure responses demonstrate a sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge

To get the highest score—ANSWER ALL PARTS OF THE QUESTION

Other Information about SLLA

If you have learning disability or if English is NOT your primary language--You can apply to be given more time to take the test by calling (1-609-771-7880)

Taking the Test Be well restedBring photo IDBring a supply of well sharpened # 2 pencils (at

least 3)Eat before you take the test and bring a snackBe prepared to stand in line to check in…or wait

while other test takers are being checked in…Stay calmBe prepared for delays or disruptions before the

test begins

Constructed Response Key to successfully answering the Constructed

Response test questions is to focus on the key words in the ISLLC Standards

Review all the CR questions and select the easiest ones for you…and do those first

Read the complete CR and any supporting documents

Mentally think through your solution to the problem (as you would in real-life)

Constructed Response Pace yourself—Watch your watch—10 minutes per

question with time at the end to go back and review

Plan, write and review

Answer each question in the space provided—writing in the margins or other incorrect locations could allow the item to not be scored correctly

Review your responses—go back and evaluate for content, organization, clarity, and accuracy…answer ALL questions

Practice with Constructed Responses Question 1—The leader of a Middle School

Instructional Team comes to the principal, concerned that she is shouldering most of the burden of coordinating the instructional team’s planning for instruction. She feels increasingly resentful and angry at her team members. The principal expresses understanding of the teacher’s situation and, to help relieve the burden on her, he appoints a new team leader the next day.

Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a principal’s decision in such situations?

Middle School Instructional Team Leader Scoring Guide—hard copy in packet of info2—Response specifically addresses the

principal’s need to acquire more information about the situation before acting, plus at least ONE of the following:Leadership includes assisting the team leader

to succeed in the role and to enable the team to function well, or

A concern for team process and the involvement of stakeholders in making decisions, the importance of consensus building and conflict resolution

1- Response includes SPECIFIC reference to at least one of the following

the principal’s need to acquire more information about the situation before acting

the principal’s leadership includes assisting the team leader to succeed in the role and to enable the team to function well, or

a concern for team process and the involvement of stakeholders in making decisions, the importance of consensus building and conflict resolution

0—Response is vague, omits reference to any of the essential factors, or evaluates the principal’s action without qualification

Scoring Guide and Sample PapersUsing scoring guide what scores would you

give to the two sample papers in your packet…

Work in groups with each of your putting a score on the back…pass the paper to the next person in the group and don’t look at your colleagues scores

Review samplesHow would you score the first sample?

What about the second sample?

Give it a tryYou have the scoring guide, so that helps…so

lets take ten minutes and you write to this question

Question 1

CR Q 1The leader of a Middle School Instructional Team

comes to the principal, concerned that she is shouldering most of the burden of coordinating the instructional team’s planning for instruction. She feels increasingly resentful and angry at her team members. The principal expresses understanding of the teacher’s situation and, to help relieve the burden on her, he appoints a new team leader the next day.

Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a principal’s decision in such situations?

Who will share?

Lets review a couple of our classmates writing

WE WILL DO SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF CR during this class…one more today

We will work on MC on Monday

BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS

What would your foresee as potential issues that you as a first year principal will have to deal with in July, August, and September?

Work in groups to brainstorm possible issues that may evolve…

Before School Year Begins Ideas

Additional CR Practice—Answer on your own with the help of scoring guide (on next slide)—Take 10 minutesQuestion 2--A parent requests that her child be

retained in first grade. Although the child missed two weeks of school due to chicken pox, the teacher believes the child is intellectually, socially, and physically ready for second grade. The principal observes the child for one hour and concurs with his experienced teacher’s recommendation that the child be promoted to second grade. The principal decides that he must deny the parent’s request. Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a principal’s decision in such situations.

Scoring GuideResponse specifically cites the principal’s

need to acquire more information about the situation, plus one of the following:Parents have information and insights about

the child that the school would not havePart of the responsibility of school leadership is

share information with the parents about the possible consequences of retention.

Alternative instructional approaches to retention are suggested.

Review Sample Papers

In groups, determine what score this sample paper should have

Correct your papers

After reviewing the papers and scoring guide, apply to your answer—MAKE CORRECTIONS

Sharing of papers

Who is brave to share their examples on the Elmo?…tell us what you did well, and tell us what you could improve upon

Generate Questions

Work in pairs to write three possible questions for our principal panel for Monday

CR Practice – Final one for todayQuestion 3—Answer without the aid of a scoring

guide

Its early December and the students in an elementary school are practicing for the annual holiday concert. A parent phones the school to insist their child should not be required to sing any of the Christmas songs. The principal excuses the child from participation in the music practice. Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a principal’s decision in similar such situations.

Compare with scoring guideReview scoring guide as demonstrated on

ELMO

Score your paper

What do you need to change?

Review a 2 level paper

Platform/Plan Assignment

Discuss scoring guide and expectations for this activity

DUE WEDNESDAY, July 22nd midnight to phedgpeth@sbuniv.edu

Discussion BoardDiscussion board will be open over the weekend

You are expected to post two responses to the constructed response question

You are also expected to post two additional responses to a fellow student student’s post to this same online constructed response question

All posts must be finalized by Tuesday!