A Guide to Leadership Education Programs in Georgia For Aspiring Leaders in Gwinnett County Public Schools (Revised August 2013)

Transcription

1 A Guide to Leadership Education Programs in Georgia For Aspiring Leaders in Gwinnett County Public Schools (Revised August 2013) This purpose of this guide is to provide aspiring leaders with information about Georgia s leadership preparation programs best aligned to the mission and vision of Gwinnett County Public Schools.

2 A Guide to Leadership Education Programs in Georgia For Aspiring Leaders in Gwinnett County Public Schools (Revised August 2013) Contents This guide provides information on leadership preparation programs at Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Mercer University, the University of Georgia, and the University of West Georgia. This guide is designed to provide critical information about the degrees offered at these institutions. 1

3 Table of Contents Introduction... 3 Educational Leadership in Georgia... 4 World Class Leadership in Gwinnett County Public Schools... 5 Gwinnett s Partner Programs at a Glance... 6 Clark Atlanta University...7 Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.8 Ed.D. in Educational Leadership...9 Georgia State University Ed.S. in Educational Leadership Ed.D. in Educational Leadership Mercer University Ed.S. in Educational Leadership Ph.D. in Educational Leadership University of Georgia Ed.S. in Educational Administration and Policy Ed.D. in Education Leadership University of West Georgia Ed.S. in Educational Leadership Ed.D. in School Improvement Admission Requirements Comparison Table

4 Introduction Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) is dedicated to building a pipeline of effective leaders to command a system of world- class schools. With the support of funding from The Wallace Foundation, GCPS is working to build a cadre of effective leaders equipped with the skills and talents necessary for school leadership success. As part of this work, GCPS is collaborating with university training programs throughout Georgia to ensure that school leader candidates receive exemplary pre- service training. This guide features information about five university preparation programs that share Gwinnett County s commitment to developing world- class leadership for GCPS schools: Clark Atlanta University, Georgia State University, Mercer University, the University of Georgia, and the University of West Georgia. All five universities offer degrees that can be completed in conjunction with meeting the requirements for principal certification specified by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (page 4). These universities also have a partnership agreement with GCPS to facilitate internship and site- based experiences in the district, and provide curriculum that compliments the professional development GCPS offers for aspiring leaders (page 5). The information appearing in this guide was collected from university and program websites and discussions with program coordinators and faculty. Summary comparisons of program features and admission requirements are located on pages 6 and 20. 3

5 Educational Leadership in Georgia What is GaPSC? In July of 1991, a legislative mandate was enacted to create the Professional Standards In order to serve in a leadership position in Georgia, it is necessary for an individual to hold a Master s degree in a GaPSC- approved field and to obtain a PL- 6 (specialist) or PL- 7 (doctorate) certification within five years of accepting a leadership position. The programs featured in this guide offer opportunities to complete certification requirements such as a site- based internship while simultaneously completing a degree. It is important to fully review GaPSC certification requirements before enrolling in a performance- based degree. All certification rules and guidelines can be viewed at: Commission (PSC) as a separate government agency, removed from the Georgia Department of Education, with the central responsibility for establishing a certification/licensure process that is streamlined, understandable, and flexible in order to remove barriers and to attract qualified individuals to the education profession. Specifically, the PSC s major purposes are: to simplify and make more efficient the process If you are an aspiring leader who is interested in a certificate- only option, contact the university representatives featured in this guide to discuss opportunities. of certifying educational personnel in Georgia; to attract the highest possible number of qualified personnel to become educators in Georgia; to promote the hiring of qualified 4 educators from other states; and to improve the level of preparation of educators.

6 World Class Leadership in Gwinnett County Public Schools In addition to meeting GaPSC requirements for educational leadership certification, aspiring leaders in GCPS take part in the Quality- Plus Leader Academy (QPLA). The goal of QPLA is to increase student achievement by identifying, recruiting, and preparing prospective school leaders to become highly effective instructional leaders in 21st century schools. In GCPS, the Quality- Plus Leader Academy is viewed as an essential component to leadership development and success. As superintendent Alvin Wilbanks asserts, To be effective, a principal must have knowledge, skills, and talent that cannot be acquired in college courses alone, and cannot be mastered without opportunities to learn from outstanding leaders in the profession. QPLA is a forum for providing these opportunities, allowing prospective school leaders to learn from world- class GCPS educators in addition to completing university coursework and obtaining PL- 6 or PL- 7 certification. To be effective, a principal must have knowledge, skills, and talent that cannot be acquired in college courses alone, and cannot be mastered without opportunities to learn from outstanding leaders in the profession. - Alvin Wilbanks, CEO/Superintendent For more information about QPLA visit and choose Quality- Plus Leader Academy under the Lead tab under Quick Links. 5

7 Gwinnett Partner Programs at a Glance Clark Atlanta University Georgia State University Mercer University of Georgia University of West Georgia Featured Degrees Ed.S. & Ed.D. Ed.S., Ed.D. & Ph.D. Ed.S. & Ph.D. Ed.S. & Ed.D. Ed.S. & Ed.D. GaPSC Certi&ication Program Location Credit Hours Required Cost Per Credit Hour 1 Financial Aid Cohort Model PL-! or upgrade Atlanta Ed.S.!" Ed.D. &' PL-! or upgrade Atlanta/ Alpharetta Ed.S.!" Ed.D &' PL-! or upgrade Atlanta Ed.S. &&-!" Ph.D. &' PL-! or upgrade Gwinnett/ Athens Ed.S.!" Ed.D. && PL-! or upgrade Gwinnett/ Carrollton/ Online Ed.S &'-!" Ed.D.!"!"#$!""#!"#$!"#$!"## Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Ed.S.: No Ph.D.: Yes No 2 Yes Site- based Experience Ed.S.: Yes Ed.D.: Yes Ed.S.: Yes Ed.D.: No Ed.S.: Yes Ph.D.: Optional Ed.S.: Yes Ed.D.: Yes Ed.S.: Yes Ed.D: No Leadership Coaching Re#lective Seminar Ed.S.: Yes Ed.D: No Ed.S.: Yes Ph.D.: Optional Ed.S.: Yes Ed.D.: Yes Ed.S.: Yes Ed.D: No Unique Program Bene$it Pearlie C. Dove Colloquium GSU Principal Center Electronic Portfolio Course offerings in Gwinnett Leader Support Team 6 1 Tuition costs are estimated and are subject to change. To get the most up- to- date tuition costs, visit each program s website. 2 UGA s Ed.S. and Ed.D. programs are in the process of transitioning to a cohort model.

8 Clark Atlanta University Pearlie C. Dove Colloquium The Pearlie C. Dove Colloquium is a lecture series hosted by the Clark Atlanta School of Education. It is open to the public and seeks to encourage and promote spirited exchange related to the work of teacher- education, leadership, and counseling in diverse educational settings. Clark Atlanta University (CAU) formed in 1988 as a result of the consolidation of two independent historically black institutions Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869) 3. Today, CAU remains dedicated to preserving and disseminating the heritage of peoples of African descent and is one of the nation s foremost Historically Black Colleges and Universities. CAU s School of Education is nationally accredited through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and all of its programs are approved by the state of Georgia (GaPSC). The Ed.S. and Ed.D. are offered through the Department of Education Leadership, which seeks to prepare leaders who are well prepared for quality service and authentic advocacy for diverse schools and communities, with special emphasis on the urban centers. The department offers a comprehensive focus on leadership theories validated through a performance- based curriculum, with special emphasis on: Problem identification through use of various tools of research; Information and data analysis; Generating alternative strategies for addressing the strategic problems identified through this process; and Application of those strategies in the field through supervised performance- based practice or residency

9 Clark Atlanta University: Ed.S. in Educational Leadership CAU s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership offers a curriculum designed around six core components: Strategic Leadership Instructional Leadership Organizational Leadership Political and Community Leadership Research & Evaluation Internship The internship or advanced practicum requires students to complete two semesters worth of field- based experiences in diverse settings and school districts. In total, the internship requires students to complete 300 contact hours, which include scheduled reflective seminars. A list of additional course descriptions can be viewed at: _leadership_course_description.aspx In additional to completing course work with a grade of B or higher and the internship, students are required to pass a departmental comprehensive examination in order to graduate. To view the conceptual framework that informs the curriculum for the Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees, visit: Docs/departments/education/ Conceptual%20Framework%20 Handout%201%20card.pdf. Want to Learn More? Program Website: ucational_leadership_overview.aspx Contact Information: Dr. Moses Norman, Chair Phone: mnorman@cau.edu 8

10 Clark Atlanta University: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership CAU s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership offers a curriculum designed around the same six core components of the Ed.S. degree: Strategic Leadership Instructional Leadership Organizational Leadership Political and Community Leadership Research & Evaluation Internship The key difference between CAU s Ed.S. and the Ed.D. degree is that doctoral students are required to take additional course work and are also required to complete and defend a prospectus and a dissertation. The internship or advanced practicum requirements are identical to those required of Ed.S. students: the completion of two semesters worth of field- based experiences in diverse settings and school districts. In total, the internship requires students to complete 300 contact hours, which include scheduled reflective seminars. A list of additional course descriptions can be viewed at: _leadership_planned_programs_doctor_of_education. aspx Upon completion of twelve semester hours of 600 and 700 level coursework at Clark Atlanta University, doctoral students must pass an exam designed to assess writing skills before they can continue in the program. Furthermore, in additional to completing course work with a grade of B or higher and the internship, students are required to pass a departmental comprehensive examination in order to graduate. To view the conceptual framework that informs the curriculum for the Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees, visit: Docs/departments/education/ Conceptual%20Framework%20 Handout%201%20card.pdf. Want to Learn More? Program Website: ucational_leadership_overview.aspx Contact Information: Dr. Moses Norman, Chair Phone: mnorman@cau.edu 9

11 Georgia State University Located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia State University (GSU) is one of the country s leading urban research universities 5. GSU s College of Education (COE) enrolls more than 3,500 students and offers fifty programs in seven departments. The Ed.S. and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership are offered through the Department of Educational Policy Studies. Faculty in the department offer leadership preparation of the highest quality by utilizing their research strengths and a comprehensive GSU s Principals Center knowledge base including Georgia State s Principals Center provides educational theory and philosophy; social, cultural, and practicing and aspiring school leaders with historical foundations; policy professional development and networking formulation and implementation opportunities designed to develop their and an applied knowledge of capacity to create schools that work for all how learning occurs in school children. To learn more, visit: settings 6. In addition, the find the department operates the Principals Center on Facebook, or follow on Principals Center, which provides continuing professional development for GSU graduates and other educational professionals from Georgia's public and private K- 12 schools 7. Participation in Principal Center activities and events is offered to GSU students at a highly reduced or free rate

12 Georgia State University: Ed.S. in Educational Leadership Georgia State University s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership is designed to prepare graduates to be effective school and/or system leaders who positively impact student achievement. The program partners with numerous school districts in Georgia, including Gwinnett County. Students enrolled who are seeking GaPSC leadership certification must complete site- based experiences, which are embedded within the required core curriculum. As part of the certification requirement, students participate in an internship experience in their workplace. During the internship, students receive guidance and support from a coach provided by the university and a workplace mentor. The program requires a minimum of 30 credits, six of which are related to professional studies, and 24 of which are related to core curriculum and leadership development. Pre- requisites and core courses required of the program and for PL- 6 certification include: Leadership in Organizational Culture (pre- req) School Law (pre- req) Research in Educational Leadership & Organizational Structure Leadership for Change in a Diverse Society Advanced Law, Policy, and Governance Advanced Instructional Leadership Research- Based Decision Making for School Leaders Curriculum Design and Analysis As part of the site- based experience, students receive assistance from a leadership coach and faculty member provided by GSU, as well as a district representative. Want to Learn More? Program Website: FAQ s: FAQs Contact Information: Dr. Hayward Richardson Phone: (404) hrichardson@gsu.edu 11

13 Georgia State University: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership GSU s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership targets senior- level administrators, providing them with: Knowledge and skills to deal with complex issues facing education today Methods of inquiry necessary to analyze current educational problems Leadership skills necessary to direct the development and implementation of programs to address those problems and to disseminate the results in various professional and public forums Knowledge and applied skills rarely provided in traditional advanced degree programs in educational leadership in an alternative format that meets the needs of senior- level administrators The program is delivered using an executive model meeting face- to- face one Saturday per month with significant online experiences between residencies. It is offered as a three- year, closed cohort model and consists of 45 hours of coursework and 9 hours of dissertation work. This degree is not designed to meet the requirements for GaPSC certification, but candidates who would like to pursue PL- 6 certification have the option of first completing the Ed.S. or they can complete additional coursework while pursuing the Ed.D. Candidates who already have their PL- 6 certification can transfer up to 18 hours into the program upon a transcript and syllabi review. Completion of the degree also means that the PL- 6 certificate is eligible to be bumped to a PL- 7. The dissertation consists of a comprehensive literature review manuscript that addresses a current issue in educational leadership policy and/or practice, and a research manuscript that describes the results of an original, applied research project informed by the comprehensive literature review. Want to Learn More? Program Website: FAQ s: AQs 12 The dissertation consists of a comprehensive literature review manuscript that addresses a current issue in educational leadership policy and/or practice, and a research manuscript that describes the results of an original, applied research project informed by the comprehensive literature review. Contact Information: Dr. Jami Berry, Program Coordinator Phone: (404) jberry2@gsu.edu A full list of required coursework can be viewed at :

14 Mercer University Mercer University is one of America s oldest and most distinctive institutions of higher learning. While offering a breadth of programs found at much larger universities, Mercer maintains an intimate, student- focused culture more characteristic of smaller liberal arts colleges 8. Five defining components of the university s mission include (1) liberal learning; (2) professional knowledge; (3) discovery; (4) service to mankind; and (5) community. Mercer s Tift College of Education is committed to preparing students to serve as teachers and school leaders in the schools of our state, nation, and world and is committed to the pursuit of excellence in every aspect of educator preparation. Tift faculty are seasoned, experienced researchers and professionals with diverse backgrounds in both P- 12 and Higher Education 9. Tift provides a variety of programs that are approved by the GaPSC, including the Ed.S. and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership. The Ph.D. program is designed as a cohort model, and both degrees deliver the majority of curriculum in a traditional classroom setting. While courses are offered throughout the state, Gwinnett students typically attend class on the Atlanta campus. While the Ph.D. program offers an annual August start only, the Ed.S. program offers five entry points throughout the year in August, October, January, March, and May, providing flexibility to students on their degree start- date. Ed.S. and Ph.D. students also benefit from unique opportunities like Tift s Leadership Academy, which brings together all education program students and faculty for an annual research conference and professional networking event. Furthermore, all Ed.S. and Ph.D. students graduate with an electronic portfolio which is a reflection of the requirements students have completed along the way, and a useful resource for graduates to share on the job market

15 Mercer University: Ed.S. in Educational Leadership Mercer s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership has been designed to provide leadership candidates with a solid blend of educational theory and practice. The degree is offered with two options: degree only (30 hours) or performance- based (33 hours) at either the building or system level. In order to be eligible for the performance- based option, candidates must meet the specific requirements set by the GaPSC (p.4). As part of the performance- based option, students engage in an internship experience. Students have access to a team of internship advisors including a district representative or local mentor, Mercer faculty, and an internship coordinator. Coordinators are selected by Mercer faculty and are individuals who have been successful at the building or system level. The coordinator provides feedback to the student throughout the experience, and ensures that local mentors are aware of internship requirements and expectations. The internship coordinator provides feedback to the student throughout the experience, and ensures that local mentors are aware of internship requirements and expectations. In addition to the internship, students take coursework specific to the building or system level and the following core courses: Want to Learn More? 14 Leadership in Curriculum Leadership in Today s Schools Managing the School Environment Assessment and Evaluation School Law Leadership in Instructional Supervision Students wishing to work full- time are accommodated through evening courses (5:00-9:30 PM). Courses are provided in two eight- week sessions over a 16- week semester in the fall and spring, and one eight- week session over the summer. Program Website: ational- leadership- eds/ Contact Information: Office of Graduate Admissions Ms. Renee Slaton or Ms. Tracey Wofford Phone: or MercerEducation@mercer.edu

16 Mercer University: Ph.D. in Educational Leadership Mercer s Ph.D. in Educational Leadership has been designed to provide candidates with a solid blend of educational theory, research, and practice. The goals of the program include: To prepare educational leaders for Georgia s schools To meet the growing demand for highly trained school leaders who are consumers of research and whose practices are influenced by that research To develop partnerships with public schools and agencies Students in the Ph.D. program complete a 24 semester- hour core knowledge base, 15 semester- hours of quantitate and qualitative research strategies, and 24 semester- hours of specialization coursework. A list of course curriculum can be viewed at: education/graduate/phd- educational- leadership- p12track/upload/p12fs_31810.pdf. Students wishing to receive GaPSC certification while obtaining a Ph.D. are required to complete the mentoring and internship experience designed for the Ed.S. program. While the Ph.D. requirements take a minimum of three years to complete, fulfilling the internship requirements would take an additional year. This program, just like the Ed.S., is designed for students who are working full- time. All courses are offered in the evenings and are eight weeks long, following the same semester schedule for fall, spring, and summer as the Ed.S. program. Students wishing to receive GaPSC certification while obtaining a Ph.D. are required to complete the mentoring and internship experience designed for the Ed.S. program. Want to Learn More? Program Website: educational- leadership- p12track/ Contact Information: Office of Graduate Admissions Ms. Renee Slaton or Ms. Tracey Wofford Phone: or MercerEducation@mercer.edu 15

17 The University of Georgia The University of Georgia (UGA), a land- grant and sea- grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities, is the state's oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education 10. UGA in Gwinnett The University of Georgia Gwinnett Campus provides state- of- the- art classroom space that allows graduate students from the College of Education the option of completing coursework closer to home. The Gwinnett Campus offers classrooms and meeting rooms, an electronic library, and an on- site bookstore. To learn more about the The College of Education (COE), founded in 1908, is an integral part of UGA. Perennially ranked among the nation s top research- extensive institutes, the College continues to be a center for innovative research, teaching and service projects of local, national and international interest 11. Gwinnett campus visit: The Ed.S. and Ed.D. degrees are offered through COE s Department of Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy (LEAP). LEAP faculty have gained national and international recognition through numerous contributions in research and policy development 12. The performance- based Ed.S. and Ed.D. are designed to provide students with face- to- face learning opportunities, as well as site- based experiences in their sponsoring school district staff- directory/

18 University of Georgia: Ed.S. in Educational Administration and Policy The University of Georgia s Ed.S. in Educational Administration and Policy leads to the initial clear and renewable certification for school leadership positions, including building level positions such as assistant principal and principal, and central office positions such as superintendent. The degree is offered in two ways: Plan A (performance based) and Plan B (non- performance based). Students seeking GaPSC certification (PL- 6) enroll in Plan A with the support of their district. Plan A allows students to engage in a supervised educational leadership residency with the support of a leadership coach, a district representative, and a UGA faculty member. This site- based experience is an opportunity to practice and demonstrate proficiency in leadership tasks and skills that, when coupled with UGA s curriculum, prepares students to be effective educational leaders. Plan A requires 9 hours of residency, a research course in management and analysis of administrative data, and the following core curriculum: Curriculum Foundations & History Classic Theories of Organizational Leadership School Finance Learning Communities & Professional Development Politics of Education School Community Relations Seminar in School Law Plan B substitutes the residency experience with 9 hours of electives. Plan A allows students to engage in a supervised educational leadership residency with the support of a leadership coach, a district representative, and a UGA faculty member. Want to Learn More? Program Website: programs/educational- administration- and- policy/ed- s/. Graduate Handbook: 4/EDAP- handbook_eds_1_nov_10.pdf. Contact Information: Phone: (706) leapinfo@uga.edu 17

19 University of Georgia: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership 18 The University of Georgia s Ed.D. in Educational Leadership is a performance- based program of study designed to prepare school and system leaders who can advance the knowledge and practice of PreK- 12 educational administration and support school and system improvement. The program partners with numerous school districts in Georgia, including Gwinnett County. A significant portion of the program is a supervised residency that provides students opportunities to practice and demonstrate proficiency in leadership tasks and skills that, when coupled with coursework, prepares students to be effective educational leaders. The program requires all students to build research skills, but the research curriculum can be designed by the student in consultation with their doctoral advising committee. The program culminates in a dissertation that may employ a wide variety of research methods. The degree in education leadership is offered in two ways: Plan A (performance based) and Plan B (non- performance based). Both plans consist of 55 semester hours, but Plan A meets the certification requirements of the GaPSC. Plan A would allow students to obtain their PL- 6 certification, or to upgrade to a PL- 7. Core courses required in both Program A and B: Education Administration and Policy Analysis Curriculum & Educational Policy Education Finance & Policy Law & Education Policy Administrative Theory Supervision Theory A significant portion of the program is a supervised residency that provides students opportunities to practice and demonstrate proficiency in leadership tasks and skills that, when coupled with coursework, prepare students to be effective educational leaders. Want to Learn More? Program Website: programs/educational- administration- and- policy/ed- d/. Graduate Handbook: DAP- EDD- handbook- 11_3_10.pdf. Contact Information: Phone: (706) leapinfo@uga.edu

20 University of West Georgia The University of West Georgia seeks to achieve preeminence in providing educational excellence in a personal environment through an intellectually stimulating and supportive community for its students, faculty, and staff. The mission of the University of West Georgia s College of Education is to provide excellence in the initial and advanced preparation of professionals for a variety of learning settings, to foster an innovative, student- focused learning community, and to empower a faculty committed to teaching, applied research, and the dissemination of knowledge. The College of Education is engaged in various P- 12 collaborations, and is home to an extensive list of knowledgeable faculty who understand the needs of adult learners 13. The Ed.S. in Education Leadership is designed as a job- embedded program for students already in leadership positions or serving in leadership roles. The core component of this degree is an 18- hour leadership residency that allows candidates the opportunity to demonstrate performance within fourteen leadership areas under the direction of a Leader Support Team, consisting of an advising professor, a Performance Mentor from GCPS, and an administrative sponsor from GCPS 14. In addition, candidates who have not completed the pre- service courses can do so on site in Gwinnett at least once per academic year. The University of West Georgia also offers an Ed.D. in School Improvement, designed for educators looking for an interdisciplinary, inquiry- based doctoral program. The Ed.D in School Improvement is approved for certificate upgrades in multiple fields including but not limited to Educational Leadership. The majority of program content is delivered online, however UWG faculty provide strong support to assist students in meeting the academic doctoral program Performance Mentors are hired based on QPLA recommendations (see page 5) and are retired GCPS administrators with an understanding of the district s leadership priorities. 19