Initial Reflective Essay Overview The purpose of this assessment is to help teacher candidates understand the Illinois State University conceptual framework, “Realizing the Democratic Ideal,” by asking them to assess their current beliefs about what teachers should know and be able to do and assess their own strengths and challenges in relation to the conceptual framework. A minimal rating of Basic in all categories in the livetext rubric is needed for the successful completion of this assessment for Gateway 1: Admission into Professional Studies. Procedure 1) Create a portfolio in LiveText (Documents/New/Choose your program or COE if your program is not listed/ Select the appropriate template/ Title the document/Save as new document). 2) Open your portfolio and select the Initial Reflective Essay page. 3) Follow the directions in the “Student Essay” section to complete both surveys (A & B). 4) Looking at your Self-­‐Analysis Survey (B), which is based on the Illinois State University Conceptual Framework for Teacher Education, “Realizing the Democratic Ideal,” identify your areas of challenge. Select at least three of the commitments that you identified as an area of challenge. Please select at least one ethical and one intellectual commitment. 5) In an essay, explain specifically how you plan to develop in these areas as you progress through your program at Illinois State University. This should be an action plan stating the tasks, experiences, readings, etc… that you plan to engage in throughout your time here at ISU that will lead to professional growth in each of these three areas. It is not your philosophical stance of the importance of these three commitments. Your essay must be no less than 500 words, but no more than 750 words. 6) Paste and attach the essay into your LiveText portfolio. 7) Submit your portfolio for review. Due Date Submit to LiveText prior to class on 2/2 Grading/Assessment The essay is worth 20 points and will be assessed using the LiveText rubric (each cell is equal to 1 point). This will be graded for class and assessed for your LiveText portfolio. If you do not receive a Basic in all categories, you may revise for your portfolio, but you will not receive additional points for class. Need Assistance? I am happy to meet with you and discuss your essay. If you are having trouble with the LiveText components of the assignment, please attend the ePortfolio Workshop first and follow-­‐up with questions in the ePortfolio Lab in DeG 52.