South Dakota State University
Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership
Oral Examination Rubric
ELEMENT
Standard 1.0: Candidates who
complete the program are
educational leaders who have the
knowledge and ability to
promote the success of all
students by facilitating the
development, articulation,
implementation, and stewardship
of a school or district vision of
learning supported by the school
community
Outstanding (2)
If the candidate is judged
to be outstanding, please
explain.
Candidate:
____
Date of Oral Examination: ____
Evaluator:
EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION
LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE
Adequate (1)
1.1 The candidate develops a credible
plan for improving learning in an
educational setting that explicitly
considers the success of all students and
is based on relevant knowledge and
theories, including the impact of
diversity, social and cultural systems, and
organizational change.
Unsatisfactory (0)
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain.
____
____
____
COMMENTS
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged
to be outstanding, please
explain.
1.2 The candidate is able to fully and
appropriately articulate a vision to
students, staff, parents, and community,
using data-driven research and strategic
planning.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged
to be outstanding, please
explain.
1.3 The candidate develops a process for
implementation which includes
motivation of staff, students, and families
as well as mechanics of carrying out the
process.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged
to be outstanding, please
explain.
1.4 The candidate provides a credible
plan for continued development of the
vision, including data-driven processes
for monitoring, evaluating, and revising
the vision and its implementation.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged
to be outstanding, please
explain.
1.5 The candidate develop a plan to
promote the involvement of diverse
community members in implementing
and sustaining the vision.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
ELEMENT
Outstanding (2)
Adequate (1)
Unsatisfactory (0)
Standard 2: Candidates who
complete the program are
educational leaders who have the
knowledge and ability to
promote the success of all
students by promoting a positive
school culture, providing an
effective instructional program,
applying best practice to student
learning, and designing
comprehensive professional
growth plans for staff.
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
2.1 There is evidence that the
candidate will be able to promote a
positive school culture to improve
school programs by using multiple
methods of assessment of school
culture and implementing context
appropriate strategies that capitalize
on the diversity (e.g., population,
language, disability, gender, race,
socio-economic) of the school
community
2.2 The candidate demonstrates an
understanding of how to affect
effective instruction based on
appropriate principles of
instructional and curricular
improvement, including the
appropriate use of instructional
technology, to meet the needs of
diverse learners.
2.3 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to appropriately use and
promote diverse means of
improving student learning.
2.4 The candidate is able to bring
about positive change in school
personnel through appropriate and
systematic professional
development based on knowledge of
best practice, educational data, adult
learning, and organizational vision
and goals.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
COMMENTS
ELEMENT
Outstanding (2)
Adequate (1)
Unsatisfactory (0)
Standard 3: Candidates who
complete the program are
educational leaders who have the
knowledge and ability to
promote the success of all
students by managing the
organization, operations, and
resources in a way that promotes
a safe, efficient, effective
learning environment.
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
3.1 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to efficiently and equitably
improve the learning environment
for all students by effectively
organizing and managing fiscal,
human, and material resources.
Plans of action are aligned with the
curriculum and the organizational
vision, employ appropriate
instructional practice, and take into
consideration student safety.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
3.2 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to involve staff in conducting
operations and setting priorities
using appropriate and effective
needs assessment, research-based
data, and group process skills to
build consensus, communicate, and
resolve conflicts in order to align
resources with the organizational
vision.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
3.2 The candidate demonstrates an
understanding of how to apply legal
principles to promote educational
equity and provide safe, effective,
and efficient facilities.
3.3 Candidates use problem-solving
skills and knowledge of strategic,
long-range, and operational
planning (including applications of
technology) in the effective, legal,
and equitable use of fiscal, human
and material resource allocation and
alignment that focuses on teaching
and learning.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
COMMENTS
ELEMENT
Outstanding (2)
Adequate (1)
Unsatisfactory (0)
Standard 4: Candidates who
complete the program are
educational leaders who have
the knowledge and ability to
promote the success of all
students by collaborating with
families and other community
members, responding to
diverse community interests
and needs, and mobilizing
community resources.
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
4.1 The candidate demonstrates an
ability to bring together the
resources of family members and
the community as well as public
information and research based
knowledge of issues and trends to
positively affect student learning.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
4.1 Candidates apply an
understanding of community
relations models, marketing
strategies and processes, data-based
decision-making, and
communications theory to create
frameworks for school, family,
business, community, government,
and higher education partnerships.
4.1 Candidates develop a
comprehensive program of
community relations and outreach
and demonstrate the ability to work
with the media and other
community organizations and
services.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
4.2 The candidate demonstrates
active involvement within the
community, including interactions
with individuals and groups with
conflicting perspectives.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
4.2 The candidate provides
leadership to programs serving
students with special and
exceptional needs.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
COMMENTS
ELEMENT
Standard 5: Candidates who
complete the program are
educational leaders who have
the knowledge and ability to
promote the success of all
students by acting with
integrity, fairly, and in an
ethical manner.
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
4.2 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to assess and capitalize on
the diversity (cultural, ethnic, racial,
economic, and special interest
groups) of the school community to
improve school programs and meet
the diverse needs of all students.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
4.3 The candidate demonstrates an
understanding of and ability to
appropriately and effectively find
and use community and public
resources, including youth services,
to support student achievement,
solve school problems, serve the
community, and achieve school
goals.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
Outstanding (2)
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
Adequate (1)
5.1 The candidate demonstrates a
respect for the rights of others with
regard to confidentiality and dignity
and engages in honest interactions.
5.2 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to combine impartiality,
sensitivity to student diversity, and
ethical considerations in interactions
with others.
Unsatisfactory (0)
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
5.3 The candidate makes and
explains decisions based upon
ethical and legal principles.
If the candidate is judged to
be unsatisfactory, please
explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
COMMENTS
2
1
0
ELEMENT
Standard 6: Candidates who
complete the program are
educational leaders who have the
knowledge and ability to
promote the success of all
students by understanding,
responding to, and influencing
the larger political, social,
economic, legal, and cultural
context.
Outstanding (2)
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
Adequate (1)
6.1 The candidate acts as an
informed consumer of educational
theory and concepts appropriate to a
school context and can demonstrate
the ability to apply appropriate
research methods to a school
context. The candidate is able to
explain how the legal and political
systems (at all levels) as well as
institutional factors and economic
factors impact schools,
communities, and the opportunities
available to children and families.
Unsatisfactory (0)
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
COMMENTS
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
6.1 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to analyze and describe the
cultural diversity and community
norms and values in a school
community. The candidate is able
to explain and apply change and
conflict resolution theory in the
context of schools and communities
with specific characteristics.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
6.2 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to communicate with
members of a school community
concerning trends, issues, and
potential changes in the
environment in which the school
operates, including maintenance of
an ongoing dialogue with
representatives of diverse
community groups.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
2
1
0
ELEMENT
Candidates are reflective
professionals who display
commitment to growth as a
professional
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
6.3 The candidate demonstrates the
ability to engage students, parents,
and other members of the
community in advocating for
adoption of improved policies and
laws. The candidate provides
evidence of having actively applied
their understanding of the broader
political, social, economic, legal,
and cultural context to develop
activities and policies that benefit
students and their families.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
If the candidate is judged to be
outstanding, please explain.
6.3 Candidates advocate for policies
and programs that promote
equitable learning opportunities and
success for all students, regardless
of socioeconomic background,
ethnicity, gender, disability, or other
individual characteristics.
If the candidate is judged to be
unsatisfactory, please explain
2
1
0
Outstanding (2)
Candidate is able to clearly
articulate growth as a
professional.
Adequate (1)
Candidate will continue to learn
when opportunities for doing so are
present.
Unsatisfactory (0)
Candidate minimizes the need
for improving professional
skills and/or knowledge.
Candidate is able to
communicate and provide a
considered rationale for his/her
personal beliefs and core values
regarding education.
Candidate is able to communicate
personal beliefs and core values
regarding education.
Candidate is fails to
communicate personal beliefs
and core values regarding
education.
2
1
0
Candidate has definite plans for
further education, learning, and
research.
Candidate has both long and short
term career goals.
2
1
0
Candidate belongs to both
professional and community
organizations.
Candidate is aware of appropriate
professional organizations and has
plans for joining.
Candidate does not
communicate any plans for
further professional
development.
Candidate does not appear to
have considered membership in
professional organizations.
COMMENTS
2
1
0
2
1
0
Revised 8/31/08
Candidate has worked in
collaborative settings to
improve education.
Candidate is aware of opportunities
to contribute collaboratively as a
professional and has plans for doing
so.
Candidate does not appear to
have considered professional
involvement or has no plans for
involvement.
2
1
0
Candidate seeks situations in
which he or she can
significantly improve the lives
of others.
Candidate describes actions in terms
of the positive impact those actions
will have on others.
Candidate consistently justifies
actions in terms of impact on
his or her own life.
2
1
0