Summer 2009
Capstone
 Introductions
 Explanation of Syllabus
 Review of Schedule
Discuss Assignments
 Select your two best CR Question responses done in class
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Tuesday after class. Off-site folks need to type and submit as an
email.
Online CR also due by Tuesday
CRs are worth 30 points—graded on thoroughness by which the
response is answered based on the Standards.
PLATFORM (50 points) and COMPREHENSIVE PLAN—Due on
Tuesday—Everyone submit as an email. Once I have it graded I
will email back to YOU.
Each person will take 10 minutes to share their platform—do
NOT read--Know where you stand as a future leader—TALK
from your heart as you share your platform…Platforms are best
when using figurative language (analogies, similes, or
metaphors)… This will be useful as you introduce yourself to
your new staff or parents…
Housekeeping Information
Graduation is Friday, July 24th —be there by 6:30.
To get your certification completed—1) School district
initiates the form; 2) SBU signs and mails to DESE; 3)
Certificate is good for 10 years and can be upgraded
with additional PD and next degree
School Leaders Licensure
Assessment (SLLA)
 Missouri has a new principal certification test
beginning FALL 2009
 Four hours testing time—two separately timed tests
 Section I—2 hours 20 minutes--100 multiple choice
questions
 Section II—1 hour and 40 minutes--Seven constructed
response questions
Costs of SLLA
Registration Fee $50.00 (Tentative)
SLLA Test Fee $325.00 (Tentative)
SLLA
Measures whether an entry-level educational leader has
the standards-relevant knowledge necessary for
competent practice
Review additional topics on the new test—See new SLLA
Handout posted on Angel
Jigsaw activity—Individually or in groups of 2—Review
the assigned TOPIC, given to you by the professor,
related to an ISSLC standard. Thumbnail the gist of
the standard; share one real-life example that is
explicable to this section; share with class
Test Format
Section I– 100 multiple choice questions—140 minutes-worth 70 percent of the test
Section II--7 shorter constructed response types of
questions in which you have only 10-12 minutes to
answer each —100 minutes--worth 30 percent of the
test
Test Format – Revolves Around ISLLC Standards
1 Vision and goals—20 % of exam., 18MC, 2 CR
2 Teaching and learning—30% of exam., 25 MC, 3 CR
3 Managing organizational systems and safety—10% of
exam., 15 MC, O CR
SLLA
Six Areas of Emphasis
Correlated to ISLLC Standards—From Handout
4
Collaboration with Key Stakeholders—15% of exam,
21 MC, 0 CR
5
Ethics and Integrity—15% of exam, 21 MC, 0 CR
6
The Educational System—10% of exam, 0 MC, 2 CR
Preparing for SLLA
Practice in dealing with problems in a quick, yet effective
manner (connected to what you have learned in
classes and noted from ISLLC standards) is the best
approach in preparing for the test
Our intent for this class!!!
OPTIONS for taking the test
The School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) is required for
your license as a principal in the State of Missouri. You have
some options with regard to the test.
 You may take the SLLA and request that SBU send in the
appropriate paperwork to apply for your license.
 You may take the SLLA and request that SBU not send in the
appropriate paperwork to apply for your license. You should be
aware that if the cut score of the SLLA is increased and your
current score does not meet the new cut score, even if it did at
the time you took the test, you will have to retake the test.
 You may wait to take the test.
Registering for the TEST
go to www.ets.org
click on praxis - the left side list
then click on New School Leaders info on right
Preparing for the ISLLC
 Know the STANDARDS but no need to memorize,
but have a great understanding of the descriptors
related to each (activity we did earlier)
 Think about the type of school leader identified in
the Standards and prepare to respond to test
questions in a Standards-relevant way
 Be aware of the amount of time allocated for each
section
Continued Preparation of SLLA
 Sample Questions and Scoring Criteria—study
sample questions and scoring guides (we will be
doing in class)
 Make sure responses demonstrate a sufficient
breadth and depth of knowledge
 To get the highest score—ANSWER ALL PARTS
OF THE QUESTION
Other Information about SLLA
If you have learning disability or if English is NOT your
primary language--You can apply to be given more
time to take the test by calling (1-609-771-7880)
Taking the Test
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Be well rested
Bring photo ID
Bring a supply of well sharpened # 2 pencils (at least 3)
Eat before you take the test and bring a snack
Be prepared to stand in line to check in…or wait while
other test takers are being checked in…
 Stay calm
 Be prepared for delays or disruptions before the test
begins
Constructed Response
 Key to successfully answering the Constructed Response
test questions is to focus on the key words in the ISLLC
Standards
 Review all the CR questions and select the easiest ones for
you…and do those first
 Read the complete CR and any supporting documents
 Mentally think through your solution to the problem (as
you would in real-life)
Constructed Response
 Pace yourself—Watch your watch—10 minutes per question with
time at the end to go back and review
 Plan, write and review
 Answer each question in the space provided—writing in the
margins or other incorrect locations could allow the item to not
be scored correctly
 Review your responses—go back and evaluate for content,
organization, clarity, and accuracy…answer ALL questions
Practice with Constructed
Responses
Question 1—The leader of a Middle School Instructional
Team comes to the principal, concerned that she is
shouldering most of the burden of coordinating the
instructional team’s planning for instruction. She feels
increasingly resentful and angry at her team members.
The principal expresses understanding of the teacher’s
situation and, to help relieve the burden on her, he
appoints a new team leader the next day.
Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a
rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a
principal’s decision in such situations?
Middle School Instructional
Team Leader Scoring Guide—hard copy in packet of info
2—Response specifically addresses the principal’s need
to acquire more information about the situation before
acting, plus at least ONE of the following:
 Leadership includes assisting the team leader to succeed
in the role and to enable the team to function well, or
 A concern for team process and the involvement of
stakeholders in making decisions, the importance of
consensus building and conflict resolution
1- Response includes SPECIFIC reference to at least one
of the following
 the principal’s need to acquire more information about
the situation before acting
 the principal’s leadership includes assisting the team
leader to succeed in the role and to enable the team to
function well, or
 a concern for team process and the involvement of
stakeholders in making decisions, the importance of
consensus building and conflict resolution
0—Response is vague, omits reference to any of the
essential factors, or evaluates the principal’s action
without qualification
Scoring Guide and Sample Papers
Using scoring guide what scores would you give to the
two sample papers in your packet…
Work in groups with each of your putting a score on the
back…pass the paper to the next person in the group
and don’t look at your colleagues scores
Review samples
 How would you score the first sample?
 What about the second sample?
Give it a try
 You have the scoring guide, so that helps…so lets take
ten minutes and you write to this question
 Question 1
CR Q 1
The leader of a Middle School Instructional Team comes
to the principal, concerned that she is shouldering
most of the burden of coordinating the instructional
team’s planning for instruction. She feels increasingly
resentful and angry at her team members. The
principal expresses understanding of the teacher’s
situation and, to help relieve the burden on her, he
appoints a new team leader the next day.
Do you agree with the principal’s action? Give a
rationale, citing factors that are relevant to a
principal’s decision in such situations?
Who will share?
 Lets review a couple of our classmates writing
 WE WILL DO SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF CR during
this class…one more today
 We will work on MC on Monday
BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS
What would your foresee as potential issues that you as a
first year principal will have to deal with in July,
August, and September?
Work in groups to brainstorm possible issues that may
evolve…
Before School Year Begins Ideas
Additional CR Practice—Answer on your own with the
help of scoring guide (on next slide)—Take 10 minutes
Question 2--A parent requests that her child be retained
in first grade. Although the child missed two weeks of
school due to chicken pox, the teacher believes the
child is intellectually, socially, and physically ready for
second grade. The principal observes the child for one
hour and concurs with his experienced teacher’s
recommendation that the child be promoted to second
grade. The principal decides that he must deny the
parent’s request. Do you agree with the principal’s
action? Give a rationale, citing factors that are relevant
to a principal’s decision in such situations.
Scoring Guide
 Response specifically cites the principal’s need to
acquire more information about the situation, plus one
of the following:
 Parents have information and insights about the child
that the school would not have
 Part of the responsibility of school leadership is share
information with the parents about the possible
consequences of retention.
 Alternative instructional approaches to retention are
suggested.
Review Sample Papers
 In groups, determine what score this sample paper
should have
Correct your papers
After reviewing the papers and scoring guide, apply to
your answer—MAKE CORRECTIONS
Sharing of papers
Who is brave to share their examples on the Elmo?…tell
us what you did well, and tell us what you could
improve upon
Generate Questions
Work in pairs to write three possible questions for our
principal panel for Monday
CR Practice – Final one for today
 Question 3—Answer without the aid of a scoring guide
Its early December and the students in an elementary
school are practicing for the annual holiday concert. A
parent phones the school to insist their child should
not be required to sing any of the Christmas songs.
The principal excuses the child from participation in
the music practice. Do you agree with the principal’s
action? Give a rationale, citing factors that are relevant
to a principal’s decision in similar such situations.
Compare with scoring guide
 Review scoring guide as demonstrated on ELMO
 Score your paper
 What do you need to change?
 Review a 2 level paper
Platform/Plan Assignment
Discuss scoring guide and expectations for this activity
DUE WEDNESDAY, July 22nd midnight to
phedgpeth@sbuniv.edu
Discussion Board
 Discussion board will be open over the weekend
 You are expected to post two responses to the
constructed response question
 You are also expected to post two additional responses
to a fellow student student’s post to this same online
constructed response question
 All posts must be finalized by Tuesday!