Agenda VI. I
Members Present: Larry Gambaiani, Peggy Hinckley, Earlene Holland, Dan Grayson, Mike Horvath, Becky Libler, Gary Collings
Members Absent: Fred Bechtold, Walter Harrison, Ted Kowalkski, Sue Switzer
Others Present: Shawn Sriver, Ann England, Leonard Burrello
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The External Committee for District Administrators of the Indiana Professional Standards Board convened at 9:30a.m. on October 15,1999, at the Administrative Service Center of MSD Washington Township Schools located at 3801 East 79th Street, Indianapolis.
In Dr. Bechtold's absence due to illness, Larry Gambaiani called the session to order. Shawn Sriver distributed the September 17 selections and asked for comments. The selections were accepted as presented.
1. Assessment Framework -Members turned their attention to the draft attached to the selections for a superintendent license. Shawn responded to a question that the current Administrative Law Judge option has not yet been confirmed.
Preparation - Members agreed that those candidates for a district license, who previously obtained a satisfactory score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment, would be exempted from the assessment requirement even if the cut scores differ.
Initial - Members discussed the two year initial licensure period in comparison to multiple year administrative contracts. Shawn clarified that without the Master's degree requirement there is no longer any reason for candidates to postpone obtaining a license until employed. Shawn commented that Becky Libler will present the Committee's proposal for a single induction period to the IPSB Executive Committee on October 20.
Proficient - Members agreed that the university advisor is optional for the Professional Growth Team. The number of available advisors is limited and less necessary at this level particularly if the candidate has completed an induction period. Members decided that the appeals process as noted at the initial level should also be applied at the proficient level. Peggy Hinckley presented Minnesota's administrative continuing renewal system. Members discussed its similarities to Indiana's current system. The current Certification Renewal Unit (CRU) system will be realigned to Professional Growth Teams focused on each candidate's needs.
2. Certificates -In response to a question, Shawn noted that IPSB has made provisions for certificates to be granted to individuals who are licensed. Certificates were addressed by the IPSB as an addendum to the Licensure Framework with no areas specified. Since business managers and personnel directors have been exempted from the district administration standards, these two positions would not be eligible for IPSB sanctioned licenses. The question was raised whether a certificate exception might be desirable for these two exempt positions if not readily available from state and national professional organizations. Shawn indicated that there is another committee, the Standards Review Cycle Committee, which is dealing with the criteria for certificates; however he will make additional inquiries about the certificate provisions and the role of this committee in recommending that an area be available for a certificate and in recommending the criteria for the certificate.
In response to expressed concerns about personnel shortages and liberties taken in some corporations in changing titles to coordinator to circumvent license requirements, members discussed a proposal for the building administrator license to serve as a general administrative license with optional certificates in specialty areas. The committee had previously discounted the building administrators license as a prerequisite for all district licenses. A general administrative license was thought to diminish the quality inherent in the standards.
Although the committee can attempt to design a system with more flexibility, there are apparent exceptions and institutional requirements which will likely have to be addressed through other avenues. The supply and demand concerns may be exacerbated by an existing pool of personnel holding administrative licenses who choose not to pursue such position for various reasons.
Dan Grayson presented in detail the issues related to an assessment framework for a director of vocational education. Entry requirements as well as supply and demand are problematic in recruiting directors of vocational education. He will present the proposed assessment framework to a sampling of vocational education directors and report back at the next meeting.
Gary Collings will also seek input about the framework from a sampling of directors of special education to be reported at the next meeting.
3. Action (Edit) Report -Shawn Sriver noted that Becky Libler will represent the edit team and committee at the November 17 meeting at which the District Standards will be recommended for approval. Leonard Burrello presented his observations about a couple of items in the district standards.
Members discussed our rationale on how the standards can be applied to four separate licenses in creating an assessment framework. The license differentiation will come from:
(a) the program preparation and course work distinctions;
(b) the extent of emphasis and depth of knowledge, dispositions, and performances across the standards;
(c) the customized assessment process for each candidate with portfolio and mentor/professional growth team requirements.
The underlying license will be in the particular content area which also addresses some of the specialty needs.
4. Other Related Issues - Once the framework for each licensure area has been developed, the committee will need to respond to:
(a) Pilot program - members felt a pilot study to be desirable at least related to initial licensing. This might include the utilization of a new portfolio process under development by the Educational Testing Service.
(b) Reciprocity - the issue is how to evaluate an out-of-state administrative license for a candidate with less than two years experience. Is the candidate to be held to an induction period for an initial or to be considered for a proficient license?
(c) Grandparenting - will those holding an Indiana superintendent license but who have not practiced be held to the induction period requirements?
A dissemination process for the licensing frameworks similar to what was done with the standards may be desirable. There may also be a need to recommend timelines.
NEXT MEETINGS: Cancel November 19
December 17, 1999
January 21, 2000
February 18, 2000
March 17, 2000
April 21, 2000
May 19, 2000
The selections were prepared by Gary Collings and edited by Ann England.