Educational Administration - Superintendent Licensure

Iowa State University's Certificate of Advanced Studies program in the department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies has been completely re-designed to give candidates the best possible preparation as future superintendents, AEA chief administrators, and central office personnel dedicated to increasing achievement for every learner. A unique sequence of learning opportunities is driven by practical clinical experiences in the field and supported by classroom instruction in a spiral curriculum that builds over 23 months' time by exploring "dilemmas of practice" that future school leaders will encounter. Our CAS program is 30 credit hours long, which includes two hours of electives.

Inquiries can be directed to Dr. Scott McLeod at mcleod@iastate.edu.

Candidates will be evaluated upon their ability to demonstrate proficiency in the 6 Standards and 35 Criteria for Iowa School Leaders through exploration of 8 major dilemmas of practice and three leadership seminars. Interwoven into all eight dilemmas of practice and 3 leadership seminars will be eight core process skills that apply to all dilemmas.

The eight dilemmas of practice are:

• Increasing learning for all students and adults in the system;
• Learning to apply best practice in leadership theory to a professional values and beliefs platform that drives everyday decisions to increase student achievement;
• Working effectively with the school board to develop and execute governance policies and practices that align with system goals to increase student achievement;
• Allocating resources to insure maximum impact on learning through knowledge of school finance, facility planning and human resources functions;
• Positively shaping the negotiations process, the recruitment and induction process and human resource policies and practices to maximize learning;
• Using systems thinking to advance achievement for all;
• Coaching and evaluating personnel (with an emphasis on administrative team evaluation) to maximize performance; and
• Collaborating and communicating with various publics in meaningful ways to advance student learning goals.

The eight core process skills are:

• Using data from a variety of sources and transforming that data into information which guides decision-making and accountability;
• Ethical decision-making and reflective practice;
• Capitalizing on diversity/ensuring equity/promoting social justice;
• Leveraging political realities to achieve system goals;
• Resource allocation aligned with district priorities;
• Operating within legal parameters;
• Group process skills that demonstrate application of adult learning theory; and
• Using technology effectively and appropriately.

Candidates will be supported in their program by highly competent faculty, all of whom have experience in preK-12 settings; two LEA mentors; a faculty advisor; respected leaders both within and outside the field of education; and an individualized learning plan that will be continuously revised during the program of study.

Classes will be held in a central location so that candidates will have as much exposure as possible to diversity of people, perspectives, and cultures. It is anticipated that the initial cohort will be comprised of twenty leaders who will meet once per month in a unique "Saturday-Friday" format, in which they will work with faculty who introduce a dilemma of practice on a Saturday, assign clinical experiences to be completed during the following month and come back on a Friday and Friday evening to process their learnings. "Friday"evening sessions will also include additional group process skills and a resiliency strategy that helps candidates deal with the multiple demands and stresses inherent in the job.

Some dilemmas of practice are schedule for a Saturday-Friday, some for a Sunday-Saturday, and some for a Monday-Sunday to avoid candidates having to be out of their building/agency the same day each month. The schedule for the 2007-08 academic year requires candidates to attend three Fridays and three Mondays while school is in session, in addition to attending one professional development workshop (ISMBA). It is our hope that this schedule supports candidates' needs for personal and family time while enrolled in this rigorous program and maintaining full time employment.

* The 2008-09 program schedule will be determined collaboratively by cohort and faculty members during the Program Induction Leadership Seminar.

CAS Program Admissions Criteria

The criteria for admission to the Iowa State University Certificate of Advanced Studies program are:

• For full admission: Satisfactory academic standing: top half of undergraduate class and graduate GPA of 3.5 or better. "Provisional" admission is considered for a graduate GPA of 3.0 to 3.5. If provisionally approved, full student admission will be considered after completing the initial program coursework.
• Documentation of completion of an earned Master's Degree in Educational Administration or the equivalent.
• Evidence of prior licensure or eligibility for licensure as a principal in the State of Iowa.
• Copy of current resume.
• Authentication of potential for professional leadership through supportive endorsements or recommendations from (1) the person who supervises the candidate, (2) someone supervised by the candidate, and (3) a professional peer.
• Demonstration of adequate skill in written expression by completion of a writing assignment provided by the Educational Administration program area. [Note: Writing assignment may be waived if the student has completed substantive writing assignments in at least one course with a full-time ISU educational administration faculty member and receives a positive recommendation for skills in written expression.]
• Satisfactory completion of an interview either face-to-face or by telephone by at least one Iowa State University faculty.
• Approval of qualifications and suitability for admission to the program by the Educational Administration program area faculty.

NOTE: Prior to certification, the individual must provide documentation of three years of successful leadership in service as a principal or an equivalent administrative position.

CAS Program Application Process

Educational leaders wishing to apply for admission to the ISU CAS program should send or have the following sent to Judy Weiland, records analyst, N227 Lagomarcino Hall, College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA ZIP by no later than April 30, 2007:

1. Admission to Iowa State Graduate Study can be accomplished through downloading the admission document and then faxing the completed form. The application can also be done on-line at www.gradcollege.iastate.edu. You can get to this site by looking at the ISU home page and then selecting "Graduate College" in the alphabetical search option under "G." Graduate College Application can also be mailed to: Office of Admissions, Alumni Hall, Iowa State University, Ames IA 50011-2010. (If you previously have been accepted into another ISU graduate program you will not need to complete this form again.)
2. A letter of application to the CAS program that includes the candidate's self assessment of his or her (a) commitment to supporting high levels of achievement for every learner; (b) proven proficiencies in the Iowa Standards for School Leaders; (c) educational values and beliefs; (d) level of effective interpersonal skills; and (d) commitment to engage in a rigorous program of study. The letter should be addressed to CAS Program Coordinator, ELPS, College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames IA 50011-3195.
3. Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework are required. (If previously accepted into another ISU graduate program, you will not need to send transcripts again.) Transcripts should be mailed directly from the institution to: Office of Admissions, Alumni Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-2010.
4. Current Resume
5. Documentation of completion of an earned Master's Degree in Educational Administration or the equivalent.
6. Evidence of prior licensure or eligibility for licensure as a principal in the State of Iowa.
7. Letters of recommendation from: (1) the person who supervises the candidate, (2) one person whom the candidate supervises, and (3) a professional peer. These letters must each address the following: (a) the candidate's commitment to supporting high levels of achievement for every learner; (b) evaluation of the candidate's proven proficiencies in the Iowa Standards for School Leaders; (c) the candidate's educational values and beliefs system; (d) the candidate's level of interpersonal skills; and (d) the candidate's commitment to engage in a rigorous program of study. The letters should be addressed to CAS Program Coordinator, ELPS, College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames IA ZIP

Upon receipt of the above, the program coordinator will schedule either a phone or face- to-face interview with the candidate. After review of all of the above, program faculty will make a recommendation regarding the candidate's acceptance into the CAS program. The candidate will be notified of the decision by the CAS program coordinator.