Course Catalog - Amazon S3Catal… · IPAC 1002 - Human Resources, Leadership and Management > AC 1003 IP - Educational Politics and Legal Policy > IPAC 1004 - Curriculum Design and

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T E XAS

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Principal CertificationCourse Catalog

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SyllabusThe modular Principal preparation course material is designed to prepare an individual to be a Principal in the state of Texas. Through the distance learning courses developed by iteachTEXAS, you, the prospective Principal, will obtain knowledge on a broad array of topics ranging from human resource management to school finance. The vision of these courses is for you to study and understand various aspects of the administrator discipline and translate this knowledge into actual practice. This knowledge will empower you to adapt administrator practices to maximize individual student learning.

TimelineOnce accepted into the iteachTEXAS Principal Certification program, you have three full school years in which to complete all of the program requirements, including the Field Experience requirement.

Admission RequirementsAll candidates must meet state requirements of an undergraduate degree, graduate degree (or 12 hours toward a graduate degree), 2 years of service, and a valid teaching certificate.

iteachTEXAS Principal Certification Course Catalog

P R I N C I P A L C E R T I F I C A T I O N C O U R S E C A T A L O G

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Field ExperienceIt is the mission of the iteachTEXAS program to meet the needs of individuals who have a desire to become highly effective administrators. There are two routes for a candidate to complete their Field Experience, either being hired as a Principal or being in a Clinical position.

Certification TestingThe State Board for Educator Certification requires that each candidate for Principal certification takes and passes the Principal Certification Test.

Program Fees10% of the total program cost is paid upfront with the remaining balance paid in a flexible, interest-free payment plan.

i T e a c h T E X A S

Program Overview

iteachTEXAS is a private alternative Principal certification program based on distance learning that recommends successful candidates for the Standard Principal certificate in Texas.

As it is your desire to obtain a Texas Standard Principal Certification, below is how to progress through the iteachTEXAS program:

Successful completion of the iteachTEXAS program includes:

a) Fulfill all requirements of the Instructional Courses with completion of the Introductory course and the seven instructional courses within twelve months of being accepted into the program (approval for certification test is not released until all instructional courses and review course have been successfully completed), instructional fee paid and;

b) Pass the Principal Certification Test;

c) Complete the one year Field Experience/160 hour Practicum, within a three school year time period from the date first accepted into the iteachTEXAS program. Once a Field Experience is obtained, all program requirements must be completed by the end of the Field Experience.

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Syllabus


Course Description OverviewThis modular Principal preparation course is designed to prepare an individual to be a Principal in the state of Texas. Through the distance learning courses developed by iteachTEXAS, you, the prospective Principal, will obtain knowledge on a broad array of topics ranging from human resource management to school finance. The vision of these courses is for you to study and understand various aspects of the administrator discipline and translate this knowledge into actual practice. This knowledge will empower you to adapt administrator practices to maximize individual student learning.

RequirementsYou must have access to a personal computer that has Microsoft Word. Many schools and public libraries have Internet filters in place that will not allow the viewing of downloads from the Internet. Additionally, it is your responsibility to frequently review the program announcements on the instructNET platform.

PaceWhile the iteachTEXAS courses are self-paced, the introductory course and the seven instructional courses are designed to be completed within a 12-month time

Web-based Instruction

> Instruction on your time schedule

> Direct online interaction with instructor

> No required onsite meetings

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span. You are progressed no faster than one instructional course every three weeks. Access to the comprehensive review course will not be granted until mastery has been demonstrated in the instructional courses and the instructional fee has been paid in full. Completion of the Comprehensive Review is not required during the 12-month time span.

Courses > IPAC 1000 - Introduction to Certification

> IPAC 1001 - Critical Issues in Education

> IPAC 1002 - Human Resources, Leadership and Management

> IPAC 1003 - Educational Politics and Legal Policy

> IPAC 1004 - Curriculum Design and Practice

> IPAC 1005 - The Principal as the Instructional Leader

> IPAC 1006 - The Role of Professional Development in Education

> IPAC 1007 - Education Finance and Budgeting

> IPAC 1008 - Comprehensive Review

Field Experience Courses > IPAC 2000 - Field Experience

Course Objectives

While each course has its own objective(s) for the principal candidate, the following overall objectives of the course material ensure that each candidate possesses the identified educator dispositions:

> Instill belief that all students can learn based upon the stages of human development

> Develop respect for individual differences to ensure a democratic classroom environment

> Foster commitment to inquiry, self reflection and assessment

> Promote intellectual curiosity and enthusiasm about learning based upon the importance of literacy

> Examine openness to new ideas in behavioral management

> Value positive interactions

> Perform all practices responsibly and ethically

AssignmentsEach iteachTEXAS online course contains required assignments that will appear in various forms, such as, research, reflection, essay and even completion of school and state procedures. Every candidate in our program holds at least a Bachelor’s degree, and several hold Master and Doctoral degrees. It is vital to the successful

Leadership cannot really

be taught. It can only

be learned.

“”

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completion of this program that all work be of the caliber required for graduate level coursework. Any assignment not meeting the program’s high standards will be returned for review and resubmission.

While the course Instructors work diligently to grade your assignments, they do not work 24 hours a day. Assignments will be graded within three to four business days. Once the requirements for a specific course are complete, you will be advanced to the next course at the appropriate time. While you wait to be advanced, please spend some time to reflect and conduct individual research on each course.

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Education is the most

powerful weapon which you

can use to change the world.

“”

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GradingAll assignments will be graded on a 1, 2, 3 scale. The rubric for the grading scale is as follows:

1 Unacceptable 2 Acceptable 3 Target

Candidate does not model correct language usage.

(1) Pervasive written communication errors are present

(2) Thoughts were poorly organized

Candidate models effective written communication skills

(1) A few written communication er-rors may be present but they do not interfere with meaning

(2) Thoughts were organized

Candidate models excellent written communication skills

(1) No written communication errors

(2) Thoughts presented in a well organized, detailed manner

Candidate rarely and inappropriately or superficially demonstrates knowledge of assignment materialCandidate did not fulfill the required elements for the assignment

Candidate usually and adequately demonstrates knowledge of assignment material

The candidate consistently and thoroughly demonstrates knowledge mastery of assignment material

ExaminationsIn addition to graded assignments, computer-graded assessments are administered throughout each course. Successful completion of each assessment in the instructional courses and the final competency test (located in IPAC 1008) must be accomplished prior to being recommended for certification. The course Instructor is one of four individuals who will recommend you for the principal certification.

FeedbackAn Instructor will monitor your participation in each iteachTEXAS course. The course Instructor will be an experienced administrator who will not only read and evaluate your assignments, but also provide prompt feedback should you have a question regarding the course curriculum.

Text ResourcesThere is one book that is considered a must for all new principals, The Educator’s Guide to Texas School Law by Frank Kemerer and Jim Walsh. This book, which can be purchased in paperback at your local bookstore, is more like an automobile owner’s manual. You will be able to turn to the appropriate section to research the law when a specific problem arises.

In each course you will also have additional required reading. Many of these readings can be accessed free of charge through the Internet, but other sources will be available only in print and will need to be purchased. These texts have been selected because they will serve as invaluable resources that you will refer to throughout your administrative career. A partial list of these readings includes:

IPAC 1001: The New Meaning of Educational Change by Michael G. Fullan

IPAC 1003: The Documentation Handbook by F. Kemerer and J. Crain, and The Little Blue Book, published by the Texas Association of School Boards

IPAC 1004: Deciding What to Teach and Test: Developing, Aligning, and Auditing the Curriculum by F.W. English, and The Three-Minute Walk-Through: Changing School Supervisory Practice One Teacher at a Time by Downey, C.J., Steffy, B.E., English, F. W., Frase, L.E., & Poston, Jr., W.K.

IPAC 1006: Peer assistance and review guidebook by Stroot, S. et. al.

AccommodationsIf you have a disability for which you require accommodations, please let iteachTEXAS know. iteachTEXAS will be glad to work with you to find an appropriate accommodation.

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TimelineContinuous Enrollment

> No arbitrary deadline for enrollment

> Upon acceptance, immediate enrollment in instructional coursework

Once accepted into the iteachTEXAS Principal Certification program, you have three full school years in which to complete all of the program requirements, including the Field Experience requirement.

The following timeline provides an overview of how an individual progresses through the iteachTEXAS Principal Certification program. (This is an ideal scenario and may not hold true for each candidate depending on individual circumstances):

1 Submit a completed application packet • Application—completedonlineordownloadedand

mailed to iteachTEXAS with application fee

• Servicerecordindicatingyearstaught

• Applicantwillreceiveaccesstoinstructionalplatformto track application status

• Officialtranscriptofconferreddegree—mailedto: iteachTEXAS P.O. Box 1626 Denton, Texas 76202

• Twolettersofrecommendationonschoolletterhead

• Sampleofwritingskills

• $75.00—paidbycreditcardattimeofonlineapplication or by check/money order mailed to iteachTEXAS with downloaded application – this is a non-refundable fee

• Applicationswillberetainedforsixmonths.Ifacompleted packet (all supporting materials) is not submitted within six months, the application will be destroyed

2 Evaluation • Receivenotificationofprogramstatusviainternal

messaging system or e-mail.

• Uponacceptance,gainonlineaccesstotheLetter of Agreement.

• Completedpacketswillberetainedforsixmonths.Ifthe Letter of Agreement is not acknowledged and/orthenon-refundableaccessfeeof$425isnotpaidwithin six months, the packet will be destroyed.

3 Program Acceptance

Within a week from the time the Letter of Agreement is acknowledged, the non-refundable access fee of $425 is paid and Personal Payment Authorization from is received, a candidate receives:

• OfficialLetterofAcceptance

• Accesstotheintroductorycourse

• StatementofEligibility—Thisform,whichacandidate provides to school districts to which application is made, indicates eligibility for a Field Experience position and a Probationary Certificate

• Onceacceptedintotheprogram,youhavethreecomplete school years in which to complete all of the program requirements, including the one year/two-semester Field Experience

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4 Instructional Courses • Accesstotheinstructionalcoursesisprovidedonce

a completed Letter of Agreement and a Personal Payment Plan of Agreement is received. The 12-month timeline will begin on the date access to IPAC 1001 is given.

• Theseveninstructionalcoursesareself-paced,although progress is required during the 12-month time frame. If you are required to repeat a course or elect to take a month off during the instruction, these needs can be accommodated within the 12-month timeline.

• Youarepermittedtoprogressfromoneinstructionalcourse to the next course at a rate no faster than one course per three weeks.

• Eachinstructionalcourseisdesignedtorequireaminimum of 45 seat hours.

• Ifyoudonotcompletethefinalinstructionalcoursewithin 12 months from being enrolled into IPAC 1001, you may request permission to be reenrolled in the courses for a six-month period with the payment of a renewal access fee.

5 Certification Test • ThePrincipalcertificationtestistakenoncethe

instructional courses have been completed.

• Testapprovalwillbeautomaticallyprocessed.

• InstructionalfeesmustbepaidthroughaPersonalPayment Plan.

6 InternshipThere are two options for completing your internship with the iteachTEXAS Principal Certification program:

> Option I

• Hired:completedStatementofEligibilityisprovided to the program

• Youmaybeginthejobsearchforapaid,full-time administrator position as soon as you are accepted into the iteachTEXAS Principal Certification program and fulfill the initial requirements.

• TheInternshipexperienceiscompletedover two semesters.

• YouapplyforaProbationaryCertificate.

> Option II

• Shadowing:completedStatementofEligibilityisprovided to iteachTEXAS

• 160hoursofdocumentedparticipationoveronesemester

In both Option I and Option II, a candidate is assigned a Field Supervisor, and a Payment Plan must be processed prior to beginning the Field Experience.

7 Recommended for Certification • YouarerecommendedforthePrincipalCertificate

after successfully fulfilling the following program requirements:

• Completetheinstructionalcourses

• Passtherequiredcertificationtest

• Completethe Field Experiencewithrecommendations from Field Supervisor and Campus Administrator

• HoldaconferredMaster’sdegree

• Payallprogramfees

• Submitevaluationsurvey

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iteachTEXAS has established the following standards for admission into the Principal Certification Program.

All submitted documentation must be current:

• Currentlyemployedasateacherorcurrentlyemployed as a Principal or Assistant Principal, in a full time position, at an approved TEA school may be public or private

• Twoyearsofdocumented,creditableteachinginaTEA approved/recognized school as shown in the candidate’sTexasservicerecord

• ValidTexasStandardTeachingCertificate

• TwoLettersofRecommendation,bothfromcurrentadministrators, one of which must be from the administrator with whom you directly report (letters must be on school letterhead).

• AGPAofatleast2.75undergraduate,and/ora3.0inMaster’sprogram

• OfficialtranscriptsreflectingadegreeconferredtowardaMaster’sdegreeorproofofcompletionofatleast12semesterhoursofaMaster’sdegreeplanthatyou are currently pursuing

• WritingsamplescoredasAcceptable

• E-mailaccount

• PersonalcomputerwithMicrosoftWord

Acceptance into the program will be accomplished in an equitable and consistent manner in accordance with company policy and state and federal laws.

Complete and submit an online applicationAn e-mail confirming receipt of your online application will be sent to you. If you do not receive an e-mail within

five minutes, please contact the office at 940-383-8100 during business hours. Candidates electing to apply online must supply all other application materials in one complete packet mailed to the office. Incomplete application packets will not be considered for program admissions and all materials will be destroyed.

The application may also be downloaded and mailed to the office along with the $75 (non-refundable) application fee. Candidates electing to apply with a paper application must enclose all other application materials with their application. Incomplete application packets will not be considered for program admissions and all materials will be destroyed.

Please download an application checklist that must be submitted with your packet to ensure that you have provided all the appropriate information that is needed to process your application packet. Incomplete application packets will not be considered for program admissions and all materials will be destroyed.

The application fee of $75 is non-refundable.

Submit official transcriptsAll Candidates must provide a final transcript for their undergraduate coursework reflecting a conferred Bachelor’s degree. If you have completed your Master’s program, you must also submit a final transcript for your graduate coursework reflecting a conferred Master’s degree. If you have not yet completed your Master’s program, you must submit official transcripts for your

Admissions Requirements

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Master’s coursework along with a copy of your official degree plan. It must reflect that you are a current student with your university and have earned at least 12 semester hours toward a Master’s degree. Please do not send unofficial printouts or copies of transcripts. Your application will not be processed without all official transcripts. Please indicate on your application checklist if you or the university is sending official transcripts. Please send your completed application packet to:

iteachTEXAS ATTN: Principal Certification P.O. Box 1626 Denton, TX 76202

Your conferred degree must be from an accredited institution as required by the State Board for Educator Certification.

We will not respond to phone calls or emails as to receipt of individual transcripts sent to us by colleges or universities.

All transcripts submitted are the property of the program and will not be returned to the applicant.

Writing sampleA 200-300 word response to the statement: “I believe I can assist our schools in meeting future challenges by...” must be included in your application packet. This response is an important part of the application process. The response will be evaluated for grammar and content.

Letters of RecommendationYou must provide two professional references, both from current administrators, one of which must be from the administrator with whom you directly report (letters must be on school letterhead).

Service RecordYou must submit a copy of your complete teaching service record. Record must show at least two years of credited service.

Valid Teachers CertificateYou must hold a valid teacher’s certificate in the state of Texas. A copy of your teacher’s certificate must be provided with your application packet.


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It is the mission of the iteachTEXAS program to meet the needs of individuals who have a desire to become highly effective administrators, while also meeting the needs of school districts to obtain highly qualified Candidates.

The Field Experience is an important time in the life of a Principal. It is critical, challenging and rewarding to all involved, as it is a time of great professional growth. This experience typically has a lasting effect upon an administrator’s outlook toward education and therefore greatly affects future generations of students. We offer two options for completion of the Field Experience:

Close Relationships with School Districts

> Job placements may be obtained in any school district or Texas Education Agency (TEA) recognized private school

Extensive Classroom Support

> Experienced Field Supervisors

> Observations throughout the Field Experience

Field Experiece

Option 1Internship

This option is designed for candidates who will be employed as an Assistant Principal or Principal with a TEA recognized school during the internship phase over two semesters. If you elect this option you may apply for a Probationary Principal Certificate upon obtaining a campus administrator position. You will also need to participate in a personal payment plan.

Option 2Clinical Teaching

This option is designed for candidates who will not be employed as an Assistant Principal or Principal during the Field Experience but will have authorized release time by their hiring district to participate in the Internship during one semester. If you elect this option, a completed Statement of Eligibility must be provided to iteachTEXAS from the district. The district commitment will be considered by the Review Committee to determine appropriateness of Field Experience. The 160 hours of the Internship may be acquired through observation of various aspects of the Principal’s responsibilities.

The required 160 hours may be acquired in the following areas:

• 24Hours(15%)night/weekendextracurricularactivities

• 52Hours(33%)summerduties

• 83Hours(52%)schooldayactivities–canbeaccomplished during lunch/conference

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Certification Testing

> Practice Principal

Certification Test

(comprehensive review)

prior to actual

certification test


The State Board for Educator Certification requires that each Candidate for Principal certification takes and passes the TExES certification test.

You should plan to take the Principal certification test upon completion of the iteachTEXAS instructional courses and the Comprehensive Review, IPAC 1008. Test approval for the Principal certification test is not released until you have successfully completed the instructional courses and the Comprehensive Review, and the instructional fees have been paid. Once you have met these requirements, the test approval will be automatically requested.

Prior to registering for a test, you must obtain the test approval form. You will register for the certification test online at www.texes.ets.org, where you can also find the state-provided study guide for the test.

CertificationTesting

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Total Cost of Program . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000.00(All program fees are non-refundable)

This is the anticipated cost for a Candidate who completes all iteachTEXAS program requirements according to the program timeline. The total cost is broken down into the following fees:

Application Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75.00

Program Access Fee (10% down) . . . . . . . . . . . $425.00

• DuepriortoreceivingtheStatementofEligibility

• Duepriortobeginningonlineinstruction

Instructional Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,500.00

$500.00 per month for 7 months

Field Experience Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,000.00

Non Texas Field Experience Fee (NTFE) . . . . $1,000.00

Payment OptionsYou have the following options for payment of fees:

• SignaPersonalPaymentPlanindicatingmonthlypayments made directly to iteachTEXAS once Field Experience is obtained.

• Payfortheinstructionasyouareparticipating in the course work and then pay for Field Experience once Field Experience is obtained.

• AccesstoIPAC1001isnotgivenuntilPersonalPayment information is submitted.

Additional Fees Not Covered by iteachTexas

Probationary Certificate Application Fee . . . . $52.00

TExES (cost per examination) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $120.00

Standard Certificate Application Fee . . . . . . . . .$77.00

Renewal Fees

Course Renewal Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $400.00

If you do not complete the instructional courses within the 12-month time frame, you must pay another access fee. If continuation is approved, you will be given six months to complete your coursework.

Program Fees > 10% upfront, 90% deferred

Flexible Payment Plan

> Personal Payment Plan: make

monthly payments directly to

iteachTEXAS once ready to begin

coursework or Field Experience

Documents

Course Catalog - Amazon S3Catal… · IPAC 1002 - Human Resources, Leadership and Management > AC 1003 IP - Educational Politics and Legal Policy > IPAC 1004 - Curriculum Design and