Superintendent Licensure: Certificate in Advanced Studies CAS Program

CAS Program Description

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 32 credit hours long, which includes two hours of electives. Classes meet in the Ames area.

 

A new cohort forms each summer. Applications are due April 15. Inquiries can be directed to the co-Directors: Dr. Mike Book (mbook@iastate.edu) or Dr. Jan Beatty (jan1@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 adviser; 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.

 

CAS Program Course Sequence

The Certificate of Advanced Studies is a 32 credit experience in leadership for Iowa superintendent or AEA Chief Administrator licensure. The program includes two credits of elective selected from one of the following options: (1) successful completion in the Iowa School Finance and Leadership Consortium, Tracks 1 and 3; (2) two hours from applicable 600-level course work at ISU with the approval of the program coordinator; or (3) two hours of transfer credit appropriate to the CAS program goals with the approval of the adviser. The two hours of elective course work are designed to accommodate those candidates who may aspire to other central office leadership responsibilities than the superintendency or AEA chief administrator.

 

Course Descriptions

620: Program Induction Leadership Seminar (3 credit hours)

Assessments in various communication skills, intrapersonal leadership skills technology skills, and facilitation skills will form the basis for the development of an Administrator Professional Development Plan for the rest of the CAS program. Orientation to program expectations and leadership challenges in the context of schooling for a global society.

 

621: Aligning the System for Student Achievement (5 credit hours)

Alignment of System Goals and Leadership Theory with Student Achievement, Governance, Systems Thinking, and Practices for Collaborating with Various Publics

 

622: Maximizing Human and Financial Resources for Student Achievement (3 credit hours)

Allocating system resources for student achievement; human resource development and negotiations; School Finance; and Coaching and Evaluating the Administrative Team.

 

623: Mid-Program Leadership Seminar (1 credit hour)

Mid-program candidate assessments of progress, and exploration of leadership strategies for working with diverse populations.

 

624: School Finance (2 credit hours)

General issues of school finance and managing school financial affairs. Role of the federal, state and local governments in educational finance, tax issues, and structures, bonding, budget procedures and non-public school finance issues.

 

631: Achieving Results Through Accountability Strategies (5 credit hours)

Accountability strategies for applying leadership theory to evaluation of the administrative team, student achievement, governance, systems thinking and change agentry.

 

632: Using System Assets to Create a Culture of Learning (3 credit hours)

Leadership strategies to promote a culture of high student achievement, effective recruitment and induction of new personnel, productive interactions with parents and other patrons, and maximization of financial assets.

 

633: Career Induction Leadership Seminar (1 credit hour)

Development of an entry plan for developing a culture of collaboration; development of Professional Growth Plan for first year in new position; articulation of values and beliefs platform through an authentic performance assessment.

 

634: School Business Management and Accountability (2 credit hours)

Management of school operational affairs, accountability and ethical business operations, risk management, school plant operations, food service and student transportation.

 

690: Advanced Special Topics (2 credit hours)

Independent study about a current issue in educational leadership that impacts the preK-12 system.

 

691: Clinical Dilemmas of Practice (3 credit hours)

Supervised clinical dilemmas of leadership practice in field experiences in preK-12 schools and AEAs

 

CAS Program Admissions Criteria

    • 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 student must provide documentation of three years of successful leadership under an administrative license 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, N247 Lagomarcino Hall, College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 by no later than April 15:

    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

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 director.