2007-2008 Academic Catalog

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• Educational Foundations and Leadership Programs
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• Initial Administrator License
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• Educational Foundations and Leadership Course Descriptions

Initial Administrator License

Purpose

The Initial Administrator License program is designed to prepare competent and ethical leaders to meet the personnel needs of schools in Oregon. This can best be accomplished by partnering with public and private schools to identify and develop leaders who have an equal commitment to developing these skills with faith, vision, and love as their foundation.

George Fox University offers candidates the opportunity to earn as many as two licenses that prepare educators to serve in Oregon public schools as K-12 building or district-level administrators. The Initial Administrator License can be earned as a specialization in the master of education degree, as a stand-alone license past the master's degree, or as part of the doctor of education degree.

Program Objectives

Educational Objectives

To enable students to:

• Understand the developmental needs of students at all authorization levels
• Be able to conduct and use research as a tool for improving a learning organization
• Understand the goals of the Oregon Content Standards and how to use them as a guide in assessing each school's goals and evaluating progress

Professional Objectives

To enable students to:

• Be prepared to lead teachers in helping students meet learning standards and in continuing their professional development
• Understand current school practices and work within the larger political, social, economic, legal, and cultural context to facilitate new ways of helping all students become productive citizens

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the Initial Administrator License program must hold an approved master's degree such as a master of arts in teaching (MAT) degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. For applicants with an undergraduate college degree only, the applicant must complete a master's or higher degree including the approved Initial Administrator License program. In addition, applicants must complete the following to be considered for admission to the program:

• Educational Foundations and Leadership application form and application fee
• Verification of at least three years of successful licensed teaching or personnel experience in public schools or regionally accredited private schools on an appropriate level
• Evidence of leadership potential based on assessments of skills in leadership, management, and human relations as supported by supervisors' recommendations
• Completed Teachers Standards and Practices Character Questionnaire

Transfer Credit

Upon approval by the department, transfer of up to 3 hours credit is allowed toward the Initial Administrator License program. Students must have earned a grade of B or better for a course to be considered for transfer. Transferability of credits earned at this institution and transferred to another is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Consult the registrar's office for information on eligibility of transfer credit.

Residence Requirements

Of the 18 hours required for the Initial Administrator License program, a minimum of 15 hours must be taken in resident study at George Fox University. All work leading to the license program must be completed within seven years from the time of matriculation. Extension of this limit requires approval of the Educational Foundations and Leadership (EDFL) Faculty. However, only one such extension may be considered due to special circumstances, such as ill health. Reinstatement to the program after withdrawal requires Admissions Committee action and may subject the student to additional requirements for the degree.

Course Requirements

The Initial Administrator License program is generally 1-3 years in length with 18 semester hours of course work required as a minimum for graduation. Of those hours, 13 are core educational courses and 5 hours are practicum.

Other Program Requirements

The university and site mentors will meet to verify the candidate's demonstration and documentation of the following knowledge, skills, and competencies listed in OAR 584-017-0251:

• Visionary Leadership - Develops, articulates, implements, and stewards a vision by promoting community involvement.
• Instructional Improvement - Promotes a positive culture and provides effective instructional programs using best practice to design comprehensive professional growth plans.
• Effective Management - Manages the organization, operations, and resources of the school or district.
• Inclusive Practice - Collaborates with families, responds to interests/needs, and mobilizes community resources.
• Ethical Leadership - Acts fairly, ethically, and with integrity.
• Socio-Political Context - Understands, influences, and responds to the larger context.

Graduation Requirements

In order to complete the Initial Administrator License students must:

• Satisfactorily complete a minimum of 18 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
• Achieve no grade lower than a B in all core courses. If a grade of a B- or lower is received in a designated course, that course must be retaken (for more specific information, please refer to the student handbook).

Curriculum Plan

â? The two semesters of practicum have three components: on-site experiences, online seminars, and a professional portfolio. Practicum experiences may begin at the completion of at least three of the following four core classes (EDFL 500, EDFL 640, EDFL 671, EDFL 682) or on the approval of the program director. Administrative license candidates will begin their professional portfolio at the start of EDFL 648 Initial Administrator Practicum I. Candidates will add to the portfolio throughout their practicum, ending with EDFL 649 Initial Administrator Practicum II and a public presentation in EDFL 647 Portfolio Capstone. Each candidate assembles a portfolio that documents satisfactory performance in the TSPC standards listed in OAR 584-017-0251.