THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY College of Education Department of Organization & Leadership Course Syllabus for EDUL 6391R Practicum in the Principalship (PRACTICUM) Spring 2016 Course: EDUL 6391 R (05R) Date: Tuesdays Time: 4:40-7:10 Location: PSJA Admin. Building Professors/ Supervisors: Dr. Dolores Muñoz (.02) dolores.munoz@utrgv.edu EDUC 1.614 793-9824 (Cell) Office hours: All Tuesdays and Wednesday- 2:00-4:00 and by appointment Required Textbook: Online documents/ Forms: EDUL 6391 Syllabus/ Expectations and Core Activity Log spread sheet. Course Description: A field based course/practicum in which students practice competencies and theories acquired as they assume responsibilities associated with the principalship and middle management positions in public schools. This course requires a minimum of 160 hours of field experience. Students must have received credit for the Pre-Practicum Course and passed the TExES Principal Exam to be eligible to register for this Practicum course. Pre-Requisite: Students enrolled in the Practicum must have completed the required Pre-Practicum course and passed the TExES Exam. Principal Standards:
a) The knowledge and skills identified in this section must be used by an educator preparation program in the development of curricula and coursework and by the State Board for Educator Certification as the basis for developing the examinations required to obtain the standard Principal Certificate. The standards also serve as the foundation for the individual assessment, professional growth plan, and continuing professional education activities required by 241.30 of this title (relating to Requirements to Renew the Standard Principal Certificate). (b) Learner-Centered Values and Ethics of Leadership. A principal is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by acting with integrity and fairness and in an ethical manner. At the campus level, a principal understands, values, and is able to: (c) Learner-Centered Leadership and Campus Culture. A principal is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students and shapes campus culture by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. At the campus level, a principal understands, values, and is able to: (d) Learner-Centered Human Resources Leadership and Management. A principal is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by implementing a staff evaluation and development system to improve the performance of all staff members, selects and implements appropriate models for supervision and staff development, and applies the legal requirements for personnel management. At the campus level, a principal understands, values, and is able to: (4) implement effective, legal, and appropriate strategies for the recruitment, selection, assignment, and induction of campus staff; (e) Learner-Centered Communications and Community Relations. A principal 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. At the campus level, a principal understands, values, and is able to: (f) Learner-Centered Organizational Leadership and Management. A principal is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students through leadership and management of the organization, operations, and resources for a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment. At the campus level, a principal understands, values, and is able to: (g) Learner-Centered Curriculum Planning and Development. A principal is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by facilitating the design and implementation of curricula and strategic plans that enhance teaching and learning; alignment of curriculum, curriculum resources, and assessment; and the use of various forms of assessment to measure student performance. At the campus level, a principal understands, values, and is able to:
(h) Learner-Centered Instructional Leadership and Management. A principal is an educational leader who promotes the success of all students by advocating, nurturing, and sustaining a campus culture and instructional program conducive to student learning and staff professional growth. At the campus level, a principal understands, values, and is able to: Course Objective/Outcomes 1. The student will complete a log of 160 hours of practicum field experiences and projects. 2. The student will be involved in and complete three forty-five minute observations related to the practicum field experiences and projects. 3. The student will develop three reflections based on the three observation results and the post conference discussions. 4. The student will complete all TEA compliance forms and UTRGV required documents accurately. 5. The student will complete all TEA Certification requirements and UTRGV required documents in order to file for the Principal Certification in a timely manner. 6. The student will communicate with the university supervisor and campus mentor in a timely manner. TEA Compliance Students are expected to complete all TEA Compliance requirement forms and Practicum activities which are part of the Principal Certification process. STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: If you have a documented disability (physical, psychological, learning, or other disability which affects your academic performance) and would like to receive academic accommodations, please inform your instructor and contact Student Accessibility Services to schedule an appointment to initiate services. It is recommended that you schedule an appointment with Student Accessibility Services before classes start. However, accommodations can be provided at any time. Brownsville Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in Cortez Hall Room 129 and can be contacted by phone at (956) 882-7374 (Voice) or via email at accessibility@utrgv.edu. Edinburg Campus: Student Accessibility Services is located in 108 University Center and can be contacted by phone at (956) 665-7005 (Voice), (956) 665-3840 (Fax), or via email at accessibility@utrgv.edu.
MANDATORY COURSE EVALUATION PERIOD: Students are required to complete an ONLINE evaluation of this course, accessed through your UTRGV account http://my.utrgv.edu); you will be contacted through email with further instructions. Online evaluations will be available April 15 May 3, 2015. Students who complete their evaluations will have priority access to their grades. ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and may be dropped from the course for excessive absences. UTRGV s attendance policy excuses students from attending class if they are participating in officially sponsored university activities, such as athletics; for observance of religious holy days; or for military service. Students should contact the instructor in advance of the excused absence and arrange to make up missed work or examinations. This course uses a reduced class seating format and requires a strict attendance policy with no more than one absence in the semester. SCHOLASTIC INTEGRITY: As members of a community dedicated to Honesty, Integrity and Respect, students are reminded that those who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and expulsion from the University. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is not limited to: cheating, plagiarism, and collusion; submission for credit of any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another person; taking an examination for another person; any act designed to give unfair advantage to a student; or the attempt to commit such acts. Since scholastic dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced (Board of Regents Rules and Regulations and UTRGV Academic Integrity Guidelines). All scholastic dishonesty incidents will be reported to the Dean of Students. SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISCRIMINATION, and VIOLENCE: In accordance with UT System regulations, your instructor is a responsible employee for reporting purposes under Title IX regulations and so must report any instance, occurring during a student s time in college, of sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, domestic violence, or sexual harassment about which she/he becomes aware during this course through writing, discussion, or personal disclosure. More information can be found at www.utrgv.edu/equity, including confidential resources available on campus. The faculty and staff of UTRGV actively strive to provide a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free from sexual misconduct and discrimination. COURSE DROPS: According to UTRGV policy, students may drop any class without penalty earning a grade of DR until the official drop date. Following that date, students must be assigned a letter grade and can no longer drop the class. Students considering dropping the class
should be aware of the 3-peat rule and the 6-drop rule so they can recognize how dropped classes may affect their academic success. The 6-drop rule refers to Texas law that dictates that undergraduate students may not drop more than six courses during their undergraduate career. Courses dropped at other Texas public higher education institutions will count toward the six-course drop limit. The 3-peat rule refers to additional fees charged to students who take the same class for the third time. Department Requirements Pre-requisite for EDUL 6391: Compete the Pre-Practicum Course and Pass the TExES exam. I. Field work - Log 160 hours Electronic Log- All Students will keep an electronic log of 160 hours of a variety of core leadership activities that reflect the Principal tasks in which the student is engaged throughout the practicum. That variety noted as categories as listed below are recommended. Shadowing administrators Students Instructional Committees Interviews of key administration/ staff Policy & Document Reviews (Discipline, safety, special programs) Dialogues w/mentor & administrators Student Discipline- related activities Presentations/ Trainings conducted Walkthroughs & Mock Appraisals Budget, Audits, Operations Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment General Administrative Tasks Special Projects Trainings attended
Key Campus& District Meeting Event Coordination & Management Campus Plan/ Vision Activities General Supervision (Max 10hrs.) All activities will be tied to principal standards and may be covered during completion of special project; this school implement project will be jointly identified by mentor and student and must be document. Student will be develop a PowerPoint presentation of this project on the final class. Additional activities may be undertaken to complete the 160 log hours. This log is to be shared with mentor on an on-going basis, and submitted to Field Supervisor every 3 weeks. Deliverables: Electronic log of 160 hours of a variety of core activities; the final official log will be signed by the student, the mentor, and the field supervisor and submitted to the department; a PowerPoint presentation of a campus improvement project. The following criteria will be used to grade your activity log: 40 points total CRITERIA - LOG All Standards should be addressed within the 160 hours in final log Activity correlation to principal standards and indicators should be correct Description of Activities & Projects should be clear and specific Activities should be varied as noted in field activity categories II. Observations 40 pts. 20 pts. 5 pts. 10 pts. 5 pts. Students will be observed by the field supervisor at three different times performing an administrative/ leadership activity related to the project or other activity approved by the mentor. The observation will be for a duration of 45 minutes. The student will submit an agenda prior to the observation which will serve as part of the pre-conference activity. The field supervisor will document the
observable activity, complete the document form, and conduct a post-conference with the students; students will submit a written reflection after each observation. A copy of the observation form will be signed by the student, mentor, and field supervisor. This form will be submitted to the Department of Organization and School Leadership at the conclusion of the Practicum. All parties will keep a file of signed observation documents. Deliverables: Signed completed observation forms and agendas Grading 1. Log and Project(160hrs& Variety) - 40% A=100%-90% 2. 3 Observations completed, agendas, reflection 40% B=89%-80% 3. Completion of TEA and UTRVG required forms 10% C=79%-70% 4. Class Attendance/ Participation/ Communication 5% D=69%-60% 5. Project PowerPoint presentation 5% F=Below 60% Total 100%
University of Texas - Rio Grande Valley COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Department of Organization & School Leadership EDUL 6391 Principal Practicum Course EDUL 6391R- Principal Practicum Course Outline and Expectations WEEK 1: Jan. 19 McAllen Class OBJECTIVE 1: Students will participate in program orientation process. Students will align Principal Certification Standards to fieldbased (Standards a-h) Organized binder of orientation materials and submission of required forms. Orientation for Practicum requirements to include syllabus, deliverables, certification requirements, forms, benchmark dates, FERPA form Professor will review the practicum requirements. Student selects a field mentor and completes related form. Packet that includes syllabus, forms, certification requirements. Due by the end of week 2- Completed binder and submitted forms. Submit documents according to your professors timelines and due dates.
WEEK 2: Jan. 26 McAllen Class OBJECTIVE 2: Students will complete orientation process, including student expectations and principal standards. Preliminary agenda for observation #1 and identification of preliminary field-based project. Orientation continued: students will be trained in log documentation, prepost observation process based on field project. Student expectations and principal standards will be explained and aligned to log activities, observations, and project. Samples of completed forms, logs, agendas, calendar of practicum Submit required permission letters and mentor Commitment Form. Final observation agenda due by the end of January. Students will align Principal Certification Standards to fieldbased (Standards a-h) Lecture from Professor Group activities: review samples of completed forms: logs and agendas; Brainstorm field-based projects and log Work on log of WEEK 3: Feb. 2 McAllen Class OBJECTIVE 3: Updated log and agenda for observation #1. The student will prepare a preliminary agenda for observation #1, fieldbased project and observation schedule. The student will submit updated log of field Professor schedules individual conferences for week 6 to focus on Log reviews & projects.. UTPA Ed Leadership Website: Syllabus/Electronic log Continue work on field project Work on log of
WEEK 4 & 5: Online Feb. 9, 16 (Observation #1 Feb. 9 16) OBJECTIVE 4: Completed observation form and updated log. The student prepares for and conducts observation #1 activity and/or work on project and field activities (Supervisor conducts mentor training) Supervisor observes student performing a field-based activity. Observation form Agenda Calendar. Continue work on field project. Update log. Mentor Progress Checks of log activities-submit log WEEK 6: Online Feb. 23 Mar. 1 Individual Conference / Class (Feb. 23 Mar. 4) OBJECTIVE 5: Agenda. Correlation of Standards to field-based Log with varied fieldwork Professor will hold individual conferences; The student will analyze log for variety of purposeful project. The student will review agenda for observation 2 as party preconference and finalize observation date. Log. Project materials. Calendar. Handouts. Work on log of project Submit log at conference/class Observation 2 draft agenda
WEEK 7: Mar. 8 McAllen Class OBJECTIVE 6: Correlated log activities aligned to Principal Standards. Review and discussion of Principal Standards as compared to TExES Competencies from Pre-Practicum. The student will discuss/ submit agenda for observation 2 and develop a schedule. MATERIALS Logs; Principal Standards Document Observation Agenda. Update log. Submit final agendas for observation #2 and finalize schedule by week 8. Submit Logs Group sharing and dialogue of fieldbased activities, principal standards and projects. WEEK 8 Mar. 14/ 15 SPRING BREAK (work on Logs as assigned and work on observation 2 agendas) (Both Practicum Sections) WEEK 9, 10: Mar. 22, 29 Online (Observati ons Mar. 22-31) OBJECTIVE 7: Updated log Completed Observation Form Agendas. Alignment of log activities to standards and indicators. Submission of Agendas- Observation 2 planned and conducted. Preparing/ Participation in Observation #2 Electronic Log. Standards Document. Update log. Observation agenda Project work
WEEK 11: Apr. 5 McAllen Class OBJECTIVE 6: Correlated log Review and discussion of Standards- Based Competencies from Pre- Practicum. The student will discuss agenda for observation 3 and set schedule. Group sharing and dialogue of fieldbased Electronic Log. Standards-Based Competency Response Documents. Log of Activities. Update log. Submit tentative agendas for observation #3 and finalize schedule by week 12. Submit Logs Application of theory to practice through group Professor will provide feedback on agendas preconference. WEEK 12: Apr. 12 Conferences / Class (Apr. 12 15) OBJECTIVE 7: AGENDA LOGS Progress Report & Log Project Professor holds individual conferences. Student analyze log, and review final observation 3 agenda. Observation schedule is finalized jointly. - Agendas - Log - Corrected and updated logs for Aug, Sept, Oct - Final Agendas - Submit Logs
WEEK 13: Apr. 19 Online Observation #3 18 29 OBJECTIVE 7: Updated log Completed Observation Form Agendas. Alignment of log activities to standards and indicators. Submission of Agendas. Preparing for Observation #3. Professor conducts Observation 3. Organize all due logs & observation form. Log of Activities. Artifact Portfolio. Update log. Artifact Portfolio. *Mentor Assessment Due (Nov. 24). (Brownsville Only) Submit Log WEEK 14: Apr. 25 McAllen Class OBJECTIVE 6: Completed log and observation forms. Review and discussion of projects completed. Group sharing and dialogue of fieldbased Project documents Log of Activities TEA Forms. Final log signed by student and mentor. Completion of TEA required forms. Application of theory to practice through group Discussion of TEA forms & Exit Conferences Set Exit Conferences. Observation Formscompleted and signed All Work Due
WEEK 15: May. 2-11 McAllen Class/Exit Conferenc es OBJECTIVE 6: Completed log and observation forms. Upload student electronic files and mentor assessment instrument. (Brownsville Only) Review and submission of completed TEA forms and observation forms with supervisor and electronic signed official log. Professor conducts individual Exit Conferences; complete all required forms and check completion of all course requirements. All TEA forms and completed observation forms. Student Folders or Electronic Student File of all TEA required records. Final log signed by student and mentor. Complete TEA required forms and observation forms All work due. May. 10 Based on Log/ Core Activity requirement, the student will complete a status report/ presentation on the school improvement project assigned. Project PPT Presentation and Written Reflection School Improvement Project PPT Presentation Practicum Reflection PPT Project Complete Practicum student folder; submit all work/ forms due.