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Indiana Professional Standards Board

External Committee for School Leaders

Selections

December 15, 2000

Members Present: John Hill (chairperson), Mike Horvath, Steve Heck, Ed Burkhalter, Cindy Finney, Dan Grayson, Roger Thornton, Deb Lecklider, Peggy Hinckley, Sue Switzer, Gary Collings (recorder)

Members Absent: Fred Bechtold, Miriam Matthews, Kathleen Sherman, Larry Gambaiani, Earlene Holland, Becky Libler, Rich Roames, Earl Williams, Dave Kinman (facilitator)

Staff Present: Shawn Sriver

Guests Present: Doug Bohrer (ETS), Larry Lindsay (Indiana Wesleyan University)

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The External Committee for School Leaders of the Indiana Professional Standards Board convened at 9:30AM on December 15, 2000 at the office of the Indiana Association of School Principals at 8091 Center Run Drive, Indianapolis. John Hill, chairperson, called the meeting to order.

1. Announcements - Shawn Sriver responded that there were no announcements.

2. Principal-in-Residence - Steve Heck reported on a conference call that he had on December 11 with Tom Hansen, IPSB attorney, regarding closure on the contract. MOTION: Roger Thornton moved that Steve Heck and John Hill draft a letter of concern that the contract has not moved forward and send it to the Governor. After a second by Peggy Hinckley, the motion was unanimously approved.

3. Legislative Paper - Shawn Sriver circulated the so-called "200 word" document as drafted by

the IPSB attorney titled "Improved Preparation and Licensing for the Principals and Superintendents

Who Lead Indiana's Schools." Roger Thornton commented that IPSB will be spending money in

the coming biennium (2002/2003) and costs of mentoring and support for beginning administrators should not be delayed until the following biennium. Shawn Sriver explained that the pilot study will be two years through the coming biennium. Therefore, the first funding needs will be in the next biennium (Fall 2003 and Spring 2004).

4. School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA) - Steve Heck introduced Doug Bohrer from Educational Testing Services (ETS) who had been here in April to conduct the portfolio orientation session. The School Leadership Series was developed by the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) and is managed under a contract with ETS.

The SLLA was developed in 1996-97 with funding from six states. The first operational administration was in the Fall of 1968. It is currently offered three times a year (January, June, and September). Over 3,000 candidates have taken the exam to date. The exam requires 50 to 60 readers depending on the numbers of registrants. Twenty-three states as well as the District of Columbia and Department of Defense are now involved at some level.

The SLLA is a standards based licensure exam currently used by nine states for initial licensure of school leaders. SLLA candidates are entry level or beginning practitioners who intend to apply for school leader positions including principals and assistant principals. Some states include central office personnel, including the position of superintendent, in this candidate pool. The SLLA with a cut score is an entry level way of looking at a pool of candidates. It is not a hiring document or a measure of general management skills. The exam assumes knowledge and skills important for competent practice. It is not a predictor of future success. One key to successful performance on the test is an understanding of the types of knowledge and performances identified by the ISLLC Standards for School Leaders.

After the standards were established, ETS conducted a job analysis study and a multi-state content validation study. All development of questions and scoring activities are carried out by practitioners. Each state sets its own passing cut score by abiding with rigorous industry standards to ensure that the score is appropriate and fair. The score is set by a panel of approximately 14 experts from diverse school backgrounds. The panel reviews numerous examples of test takers' responses over the course of two days and works collaboratively to arrive at an appropriate passing score. One may find a state-by-state listing of required tests and scores at the Teaching and Learning web site <www. teachingandlearning.org>.

The six-hour assessment is organized into three two-hour modules containing four sections (books). All of the exercises require the candidate to write constructed responses. The items are based on the ISLLC Standards for School Leaders and an analysis of the job domain for the profession of school administrator. The six ISLLC standards primarily address teaching and learning issues and are considered appropriate for all school leadership positions.

In the first section, there are 10 short vignettes, each describing a situation a school leader might face. The second section contains six longer vignettes. Each presents a dilemma based on learning and teaching issues. The third section consists of two one-hour case studies. Each case is anchored in issues of learning and teaching. In the final section candidates are presented with seven document-based items, typical of those encountered by school administrators.

CONSENSUS: Members agreed that it would be beneficial to purchase SLLA Study Kits for each committee member at quantity discounts less than $55 each. IAPSS and IASP will split the cost of the study kits.

The next step for Indiana in adopting the SLLA, would be to establish a standards setting (cut score) panel. IPSB would be expected to pay for the facility, meals and related expenses for the panel. ETS would underwrite all other expenses related to the panel process.

The School Superintendent Assessment (SSA) was first used in October 2000 and will be given in April and October of each year. SSA candidates are those who intend to apply for the position of school superintendent or assistant superintendent. The three-hour assessment is organized into three one-hour modules

The School Leader Portfolio Assessment (SLP) is currently being field tested in Indiana. Portfolio candidates are new school leaders, typically having one to five years of experience. It is designed to guide candidates through a series of structured activities they perform during the course of their normal professional duties.

5. Other Business - The next meeting's agenda items will include a report from Dan Grayson, status of the principal-in-residence contract, Stage II pilot study update, and a "Plan B".

NEXT MEETING: January 19, 2001 (9:30 AM)