This guide is maintained and posted on the Relay …...This guide is maintained and posted on the Relay Course Platform and can be found in the GEN-101 module. Please consult the Course

This guide is maintained and posted on the Relay Course Platform and can be found in the GEN-101 module. Please consult the Course Platform for the most up-to-date information.

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©Relay Graduate School of Education 2016. All rights reserved.

Master of Arts in Teaching and Dual Certificate in Special Education Program Overview ........ 4

Academic Overview ..................................................................................................................... 4

Program Components ............................................................................................................ 6

Scope and Sequence ................................................................................................................ 6

Year 1: Core and Content MOdules ......................................................................................... 6

Year 2: Weekly Class Sessions ................................................................................................. 6

Intervention Intensive ............................................................................................................. 7

Professionalism ........................................................................................................................ 7

Classroom Observations .......................................................................................................... 7

Special Education Capstone..................................................................................................... 7

Admission to Relay ................................................................................................................ 8

Admission Criteria ....................................................................................................................... 8

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program.......................................................................... 8

Dual Certificate in Special Education ...................................................................................... 9

How to Apply ............................................................................................................................. 10

Majors .................................................................................................................................... 10

Certification ........................................................................................................................ 11

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program........................................................................ 11

Dual Certificate in Special Education .................................................................................... 12

Academic Expectations ........................................................................................................ 13

Graduation Requirements ......................................................................................................... 13

Academic Progress .................................................................................................................... 13

Academic Standing and Satisfactory Progress ...................................................................... 13

Academic Honors ................................................................................................................... 14

Academic Probation and Dismissal Policy ............................................................................. 14

Calculating a Grade Point Average (GPA) .............................................................................. 15

from a Rubric Score Average (RSA) ....................................................................................... 15

Assessments ........................................................................................................................ 16

Assessment Philosophy ............................................................................................................. 16

Rubric Scale ............................................................................................................................ 16

Submission Requirements ..................................................................................................... 17

Demonstration of Proficiency in Advance of Instruction ...................................................... 18

Observation and Professionalism Details .................................................................................. 19

Classroom Observations ........................................................................................................ 19

Professionalism ...................................................................................................................... 19

Professionalism Rubric .......................................................................................................... 22

Academic Policies ................................................................................................................ 23

Retaking Failed Modules ....................................................................................................... 23

Academic Honesty and Collaboration ................................................................................... 23

Grade Appeals ....................................................................................................................... 24

Extension Requests ................................................................................................................ 24

Office Hours ........................................................................................................................... 24

Children in Class ..................................................................................................................... 25

2016-2017 Class Schedule ................................................................................................... 26

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Relay coursework is based on four Elements of Effective Teaching. Taken together, these four elements represent the set of knowledge, skills, and mindsets often found in teachers who lead their K-12 students to profound growth and achievement. During their two years at Relay, graduate students will complete modules in each of these elements, as well as modules in which they learn how to measure their K-12 students’ growth and achievement.

Teachers need to be aware of themselves as professionals and reflect on their ability to reach their students. Teachers must also be mindful of who their students are as individuals, and of the communities that shape their students’ lives. SOP modules provide graduate students with tools to make these connections to themselves, their students, and their students’ families. The modules focus on personal growth and reflection, understanding and working with families and communities, and modeling and teaching strong character.

In CC modules, graduate students learn about the countless tangible and intangible details that combine to create an environment wherein students are joyfully engaged and meaningfully on-task and feel ownership of their individual and collective successes. In the first several modules, graduate students explicitly focus on classroom management and classroom systems.

TC modules address the skills a teacher needs for instructional planning, instructional delivery, and assessment. Graduate students practice planning for a year, a unit, and a lesson. They will learn how to reach every student while delivering their lessons, as well as how to use assessment not only to confirm that every student learned but also to shape the learning that will come next.

In Content modules, graduate students learn the best pedagogical practices and strategies for the subjects and/or grade levels that they teach. Additionally, Relay believes that all teachers

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are reading and writing teachers. To that end, all Relay graduate students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to diagnose and address the reading and writing abilities of all students regardless of the content being taught. Furthermore, graduate students learn how to work with students who struggle with specific content or language acquisition or who have special needs.

In SGA modules, graduate students will learn how to measure students’ outcomes through the Relay Pathway to Student Achievement. To measure students’ academic and character outcomes, graduate students will learn how to determine the content they want to measure and solidify assessment plans aligned to that content. They will also learn how to set ambitious goals, track student progress, and verify outcomes at the end of the academic year.

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The scope and sequence of the program is designed to ensure that graduate students develop their skills and knowledge in a logical and meaningful way. In the first year of the program, graduate students focus primarily on their general education certification to ensure that they build a strong foundation in the fundamentals of effective teaching. During the second year of the program, graduate students focus on their special education coursework.

All students are enrolled in three types of modules: Core, Content, and Elective modules. Scores earned on these modules contribute to students’ Rubric Score Average (RSA).

Core modules encompass three of the four elements of effective teaching: Self and Other People, Classroom Culture, and Teaching Cycle. Additionally, graduate students create and follow their Pathways for Student Growth and Achievement. These modules represent the knowledge and skills all great teachers must have regardless of the grades or subjects that they teach. Graduate students take all of these modules with Relay faculty members in a consistent weeknight section (e.g., always at 6 p.m. on Thursday nights) in both the fall and spring terms.

Content modules comprise the knowledge and skills necessary to teach a particular grade or subject. Content modules are taught in grade- and/or subject-specific groups led by a faculty member with that particular area of teaching expertise and experience. Typically, these modules take place on Saturdays, though some weeknight and online options are available in the second year of the program.

During Year 2 of the program, the instructional schedule shifts to include weekly class nights and fewer Saturdays. Weekly sessions build on prior knowledge, and establish the foundation for increasing rigor and complexity across the year.

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Effective teachers of exceptional learners have the ability to assess and address the needs of an individual student with precision and intentionality. To provide sufficient practice in this skill, graduate students will provide one-on-one intervention to a student for the entirety of the program. Teachers' work with their students will directly relate to modules in the scope and sequence. Faculty will observe teachers during their one-on-one intervention in order to provide formative feedback and evaluate progress

As teachers, graduate students work with their students to build the academic skills and strength of character necessary for them to succeed in college and life. To do this work with integrity, teachers must each embody the same standards that they set for P-12 students. Faculty evaluate graduate students’ demonstration of these standards of professionalism on a Professionalism rubric each term, the score of which is factored into a student’s RSA. For additional details, see “Professionalism” in the Observation and Professionalism Details section.

To see firsthand how graduate students are progressing as teachers, faculty members will observe graduate students’ classrooms several times over the course of two years. Faculty members’ expectations for these observations will become more complex as the graduate students progress through their time at Relay. The scores earned in these in-person observations will factor into graduate students’ RSA. For additional details, see “Classroom Observations” in the Observation and Professionalism Details section.

As a final assessment, all graduate students will reflect on the one-on-one work they have done in the Intervention Intensive. This written analysis and reflection, combined with a presentation to both peers and faculty, is an opportunity to synthesize the learning the graduate student has done across the year.

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The information below outlines the admissions criteria and the steps required to apply. If you have questions or need more information, email the Office of Enrollment Services at [email protected] or call 212-228-1888, ext. 201.

To be considered for admission into Relay's New York MAT program, applicants must:

Secure a full-time teaching position at a partner New York City public school for the 2016-17 school year

Maintain a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale o Applicants with a grade point average (GPA). lower than 3.0 but at least 2.75

may be considered for admission by submitting an additional letter of recommendation that explains their qualifications for admission to Relay

Submit an official, hard copy, degree-conferred undergraduate transcript that shows proof of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education

Hold a Transitional B teaching certificate by the date posted in the Certification Highlights Guide posted in the GEN-101 module on the Relay Course Platform. The certification pathway must match their major at Relay and their P-12 teaching placement

o Relay’s Certification Highlights Guide located in GEN-101 shows how Relay majors align with certification areas and teaching placements

Adhere to New York State Education Department’s credit requirements for certification o Relay’s Certification Highlights Guide found in GEN-101 shows credit

requirements for each Relay major and certification area o All students must demonstrate a distribution of liberal-arts requirements prior to

graduation from Relay, which includes 3 credits in each of the following: English, Math, Science, and Social Sciences

Students in the Adolescent Teaching Exceptional Learners program must demonstrate 5, rather than 3, credits in each of the following: English, Math, Science, and Social Sciences

o To enroll in a subject-specific middle- or high-school program, applicants must show proof of 30 credits in that subject, 12 of which may be for coursework that applies the subject

If applicants have at least 15 credits in that subject, they can be admitted on the condition that they fulfill remaining credit before graduating from Relay

mailto:[email protected]

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If applicants do not have at least 15 credits in that subject, or do not want to make up for those credits, they should consider the Middle School (Grades 5-9) Generalist program

Students in the Middle School Generalist program are eligible for a Grades 5-9 Generalist certificate, and will concentrate in a subject at Relay (e.g., Math, ELA, Science or Social Studies) that matches their teaching placement

In addition to the above requirements for admissions to the M.A.T. program, graduate students enrolling in Relay’s Dual Certificate Childhood or Adolescent Teaching Exceptional Learners program must:

Be the special education teacher of record in their classroom

Utilize their Transitional B special education certificate such that they are providing mandated services to students with disabilities

Utilize their Transitional B general education certificate in a co-taught inclusion classroom for students who are mandated to receive inclusion services

Have the capacity to tutor — one-on-one, once per week and for the entirety of the school year — a student who is officially classified as having a disability

Graduate students in the Dual Certificate Special Education program must adhere to New York State Education Department’s credit requirements for certification below:

All graduate students must demonstrate a distribution of liberal arts requirements Relay will review transcripts for proof of five credits (7-12 Adolescent Teaching

Exceptional Learners program) or 3 credits (1-6 Childhood Teaching Exceptional Learners program) in each of the following subjects: English, Math, Science and Social Sciences

Relay will notify those applicants who must satisfy additional credit before graduation

Note: Graduate students in Relay’s 7-12 Adolescent Teaching Exceptional Learners program will be in Relay’s Middle Childhood Generalist 5-9 program, in addition to the Teaching Students with Disabilities Adolescent 7-12 program. As a Middle School Generalist, graduate students will be eligible to pursue a Grades 5-9 Generalist Transitional B certificate and will concentrate in a subject at Relay (either in Math, ELA, Science or Social Studies) that matches their teaching placement.

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Applicants whose degree-conferred undergraduate transcript reflects a GPA of less than 2.75, but of at least a 2.5, will not be considered for regular admissions, but may be considered for non-matriculated enrollment.

To apply to the Relay New York M.A.T. and Dual Certificate in Special Education program, applicants will be asked to complete the Relay admissions application, which includes:

Applicant information, including education and employment information

A resume

An essay

Contact information for at least one recommender, whom Relay will contact

$50 non-refundable application fee (paid online via the online application system)

Sealed, hard copy, degree-conferred official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, addressed to: Relay Graduate School of Education, 40 W 20th St., 7th Floor, NY, NY 10011

Please ensure Relay receives your complete application, which includes degree-conferred transcript(s) and recommendations. The Office of Enrollment Services will only evaluate complete applications.

Note: After applicants submit an admissions application, they must then submit Relay’s Certification & Immunization Profile, which includes proof of satisfying state immunization requirements (i.e., answer meningitis questions and upload MMR immunization records) and passing exams and workshops. Both applications can be found on Relay’s admissions portal. The certification materials are not required to gain admissions to Relay, but are required to maintain enrollment.

The programs listed below lead to a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree. The following programs are available for the 2016-2017 school year:

Dual Certificate: Childhood Teaching Exceptional Learners (Teaching Students with Disabilities Childhood Grades 1-6 & Childhood Education Grades 1-6)

Dual Certificate: Adolescent Teaching Exceptional Learners (Teaching Students with Disabilities Adolescent Grades 7-12 & Generalist in Middle Childhood Education Grades 5-9)

Please note that the New York State certification area associated with each program follows the degree in parentheses.

http://relay-ascend.symplicity.com/applicant/

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In order to be enrolled in Relay and to teach in New York State, graduate students must hold Transitional B certificate(s) corresponding to their program(s) of study at Relay and teaching placement by the date posted in the Certification Highlights Guide in the GEN-101 module on Relay’s course platform. In order to hold Transitional B Certificates, graduate students must submit documents to both Relay and New York State. Relay will only recommend for certification those students who submit required documents via the Relay certification application on the Relay admissions portal. Failure to submit a complete Relay certification application by Relay’s deadline may lead to account holds and ultimate dismissal from the program.

Using Relay’s certification application, graduate students need to complete the following:

Scan and upload Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) immunization records

Answer questions about meningitis history

Upload a GRE score report

Upload a passing EAS score report

Upload a passing ALST score report

Upload passing CST score report(s)

Upload a Child Abuse workshop certificate

Upload a School Violence workshop certificate

Upload a DASA workshop certificate

Upload a screenshot demonstrating that the student applied and paid for the Transitional B application(s) on TEACH and affirm fingerprints have been cleared by NYS

Using New York State’s TEACH website, graduate students need to complete the following:

Receive fingerprint clearance

Create an account on New York State’s TEACH website and apply for the Transitional B certificate(s)

Upon graduation, graduate students are eligible to apply for a New York State Initial or Professional certificate, pending completion of other state requirements such as certification exams.

https://relay-ascend.symplicity.com/applicant/

http://rly.gs/mmr

http://www.nystce.nesinc.com/



http://www.workshopsexpress.com/child-abuse-workshop-new-york-state.php

http://www.workshopsexpress.com/school-violence-prevention-workshop-new-york-state.php

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/dasa-applicant.html

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/

http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/apply.html

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Please see certification requirements for M.A.T. programs above.

Graduate students in Relay’s Childhood New York M.A.T. and Dual Certificate in Special Education program will apply to NYSED for two Transitional B certificates: Teaching Students with Disabilities Childhood and Childhood Education.

Graduate students in Relay’s Adolescent New York M.A.T. and Dual Certificate in Special Education program will apply to NYSED for two Transitional B certificates: Teaching Students with Disabilities Adolescent 7-12 and Middle Childhood Generalist 5-9.

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Relay requires more from its graduate students than simply completing the curriculum and moving on to new material. Relay graduate students must demonstrate that they have mastery of the techniques they have learned at Relay and are using these skills to successfully lead their students to meaningful and measureable achievement gains. To these ends, in order to graduate, students are required to:

1. Demonstrate at least a “Foundational” level of performance (i.e., earn a “2” on a module rubric) on all modules in their programs of study.

2. Earn a cumulative 2.7 Rubric Score Average (RSA). The Overall Rubric Score Average is an unweighted cumulative average of all module rubrics in the program to date.

Graduate students must:

1. Earn at least a “2” on all modules; 2. Earn a minimum 2.7 RSA to remain in good academic standing each term; and 3. Earn a minimum cumulative 2.7 RSA to graduate.

The Dean’s Office reviews graduate students’ complete academic records at the end of each academic term to determine whether they are meeting the following standards of progress:

Standards of Academic Progress

Dean’s List Honors 3.5 or greater RSA for the term

Good Standing 2.7 or greater RSA for the term

Probation Less than 2.7 RSA for the term

Dismissal Less than 1.0 RSA for the term

Every term, graduate students receive midterm and end-of-term notifications of academic standing. The vast majority of graduate students remain in good standing for the entirety of their time at Relay. However, graduate students who are on academic probation for any reason have one term in which to return to satisfactory academic standing; failure to do so results in dismissal from Relay.

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Graduate students who do exemplary work, both with their K-12 students and at Relay, receive special recognition. There are three ways in which Relay honors exceptional students: the Dean’s List, the Faculty’s List, and completion of a year with Distinction.

At the end of each term, the top graduate students from each class are recognized. Students who have earned a 3.5 or greater RSA throughout the term are placed on the Dean’s List.

Graduate students who earn a 3.5 or greater RSA, a score of 3 or 4 on their final observation (OBS-303), graduate with Distinction.

The Dean’s List and Distinction are measured in purely quantitative terms. Because the work of great teachers cannot be measured by numbers alone, we have an additional honor at Relay: the Faculty’s List. At the conclusion of each academic year at Relay, each faculty member nominates a graduate student who has accomplished great things that are less easily quantified, such as starting much-needed after-school clubs for students, forging strong connections with students’ families, or demonstrating remarkable strength of character in trying times. Graduate students who have excelled in ways that numbers cannot capture may be honored as members of the Faculty’s List.

If graduate students’ pace of academic progress is unsatisfactory (as detailed in the table above) the students are placed on academic probation. Graduate students who are on academic probation for any reason have one term in which to return to satisfactory academic standing; failure to do so results in dismissal from Relay. If placed on probation, graduate students are required to have initial meetings with their faculty advisors in order to develop written plans for returning to good academic standing. The plan must be signed by the students and faculty advisors and filed with the Dean’s Office at the beginning of the term. While all graduate students are expected to attend every class, complete all assessments in a timely manner, and attend initial and follow-up meetings with faculty members, it is especially important for any graduate students on probation to meet these expectations and return to good academic standing. The Dean’s Office or Faculty Advisors will notify the principals (or

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appropriate school or program leaders) if graduate students on probation have not made adequate progress by the midpoint of their probationary term. Any graduate students whose academic progress falls below the dismissal benchmark for a second consecutive term (as outlined in the chart above) will face academic dismissal. The Dean and the faculty review the academic performance of all graduate students before deciding whether or not to dismiss students who are on probation for two consecutive terms. If dismissed, graduate students can appeal the dismissal by contacting the Dean to request reinstatement. The Dean will make a decision regarding reinstatement, and the decision of the Dean is final. For detail on administrative withdrawal and dismissal from the Relay program, see the “Withdrawal” section.

Achievement at Relay is best reflected by a teacher’s K-12 student growth and achievement data and by successful progress toward the Relay graduation requirements, rather than by a traditional GPA. In fact, Relay suggests that graduate students report their K-12 student growth and achievement data, rather than GPA, on their résumés. At the same time, graduate students may need to report a traditional GPA for external purposes (applying to doctoral programs, seeking external scholarships, etc.). To this end, Relay adds 0.5 to a graduate student’s RSA to report GPA on official transcripts and in communication with external parties. For example, if a given graduate student has a 3.2 RSA at Relay, Relay reports a 3.7 GPA.

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The techniques and strategies taught at Relay are designed to foster growth and achievement in K-12 students. The assessments graduate students complete mirror, to the greatest extent possible, the kinds of tasks that great teachers do as a part of their day-to-day work. These assessments are designed to help graduate students meaningfully improve their practice and lead their K-12 students to measurable academic gains and character growth.

Relay instructors measure graduate-student performance on assessments using the following scale: (4) Exemplary - Graduate students who earn a 4 on a rubric row have demonstrated exemplary performance of the strategy or technique described in that row. Earning a 4 is rare. (3) Proficient - Graduate students who earn a 3 on a rubric row have demonstrated solid, proficient performance of the strategy or technique described in that row. Earning a 3 is the expected outcome of completing the module. (2) Foundational - Graduate students who earn a 2 on a rubric row have demonstrated foundational skills with respect to the strategy or technique described in that row. With more support, they will likely be able to demonstrate proficiency on that strategy or skill. Earning a 2 achieves the minimum score with which graduate students can earn the credit associated with a module. (1) Attempting - Graduate students who earn a 1 on a rubric row have attempted to master the strategy or technique described in that row. They need more support and/or need to put in more work before they can demonstrate proficiency with that strategy or technique. Earning a 1 on a module results in no credit earned for the module. (0) Lacking - Graduate students who earn a 0 on a rubric row have not attempted to master the strategy or technique described in that row. Earning a 0 on a module results in no credit earned for the module.

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All module-assessment due dates and times are posted on the Course Platform. These due dates are posted on each module’s assessment page and on graduate students’ individualized online agendas. Assessments submitted after the posted due date are automatically scored as “0.” For example, if an assessment is due Monday at 9 a.m. and graduate students submit it Monday at 9:01 a.m., it is scored as “0.” Please see the “Retaking Failed Modules” section below for further details about resolving a failed module in a future term.

Graduate students should follow the directions on the module assessment page, including changing the name of all files according to the following convention, before uploading them to the Course Platform:

YOUR-LAST-NAME_YOUR-FIRST-INITIAL_MODULE-CODE

For example, if John Smith were submitting his document file for CC-100’s assessment, his file would be titled “Smith_J_CC-100.” Inappropriately named files may negatively affect a graduate student’s Professionalism score. Correct and Complete Content: Assessments submitted incorrectly (e.g., a video submitted via email, in the wrong format, containing the wrong footage) or incompletely (e.g., a 500-word reflection that cuts off mid-sentence at 150 words) are considered unprofessional and will negatively affect graduate students’ Professionalism scores. If a faculty member identifies incorrect or incomplete submissions, he or she will notify the graduate students. The students have one business day from the time of the notification to submit the file correctly. After one business day, the instructor grades the assessment as submitted, which will likely negatively affect its score. Professional Writing: Graduate students’ writing in Relay assessments must be clear and precise with respect to its content, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Submitting written work that lacks clarity and/or precision is unprofessional and negatively affects graduate students’ Professionalism scores. Graduate students should proofread and edit their work carefully before submitting, so that the work embodies the characteristics of professional writing.

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One of Relay’s fundamental beliefs is that graduate students should progress through the program “as fast as you can, but as slow as you must.” To this point, Relay offers the opportunity for graduate students to demonstrate proficiency before they are required to attend in-person class for certain modules. Relay refers to this opportunity as Proficiency in Advance, or “PiA.” If a graduate student can demonstrate proficiency (i.e., earn a score of “3”) on the summative assessment for a module by the PiA deadline, graduate students need not attend any of the online or in-person sessions associated with that module. (Note: Graduate students can earn credit for completing a module by earning a “2” after having completed the class sessions and work at the typical pace, but they must earn a “3” to demonstrate PiA.) This opportunity is available for most core modules and for select content modules. If graduate students would like to demonstrate proficiency prior to the start of a module, these students must:

View their individualized online agenda to determine upcoming opportunities for demonstrating proficiency in advance of instruction

Read the rubric and module assessment information for that module on the Course Platform to determine whether they are likely to demonstrate proficiency on the assessment

Carefully follow all directions in the assessment prompt and assessment rubric and submit the module assessment in advance of the PiA deadline as designated on the Course Platform Prior to the session, look for notification of the status of the submission. If PiA assessments earned proficiency (a “3” on the final row), the students do not need to attend the session(s) associated with the module

Graduate students may attempt to demonstrate proficiency in advance of instruction only once for each module and can attempt and fail to demonstrate proficiency in advance only three times during a Relay career before losing the privilege of attempting to demonstrate proficiency in advance of instruction on future modules. In other words, graduate students can demonstrate proficiency in advance of instruction as many times as is possible, but may only fail to demonstrate proficiency ahead of instruction on three modules before this privilege is revoked.

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To see firsthand how graduate students are progressing as teachers, faculty members observe graduate students' classrooms multiple times over the course of two years. Faculty members will conduct a minimum of three observations during graduate students’ first year and a minimum of two observations during graduate students’ second year. Individual faculty members may choose to observe more often. All observations are announced and scheduled in advance. Failure to be present and teaching at the time of observation can result in a failing grade for the observation. After each observation, faculty members share data collected during the observation and discuss graduate students’ strengths and areas of growth.

As teachers, graduate students work with their students to build the academic skills and strength of character necessary to succeed in college and life. To do this work with integrity, teachers must embody the same standards that they set for K-12 students. Each term, Relay graduate students are scored on a Professionalism rubric by their faculty advisor. These non-cumulative evaluations occur at the end of each term (i.e., fall, spring, and summer) both years of the Relay program and factor into students’ RSA.

Relay faculty and staff note professionalism-related interactions and occurrences in graduate students’ Professionalism Logs on the Course Platform. At any time, graduate students can see the comments that have accrued in their Professionalism Logs. The purpose of the log is three-fold. First, it serves as a record of all the professionalism-related moments from the term, allowing faculty members accurately and efficiently to score graduate students at the end of the term. Second, it allows graduate students to see the professional impressions they are making on faculty members. Finally, as one rarely gets to see a record of the small (or large) acts that one’s colleagues note in the day-to-day work environment, the Professionalism Log is therefore intended to be a transparent account of those moments, giving graduate students a sense of what their colleagues likely notice as well.

Consistent attendance at class, whether online or in person, is vital. Absences from sessions will result in a lower professionalism score. However, if graduate students demonstrate proficiency in advance of instruction, these students are excused from attending the sessions in question. Relay will also excuse absences related to extreme circumstances outside of graduate students’ control (e.g., religious holidays, death in the family, being under the supervision of a doctor for illness or injury, maternity leave, being a member of a wedding, etc.). In such cases, graduate students should always contact their faculty member and the Dean’s Office at [email protected]. Should graduate students have an unavoidable weeknight conflict, the

mailto:[email protected]

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students should request to attend a different weeknight section by emailing both their assigned faculty members and the faculty members whose classes they wish to attend. In the case of any absence, we strongly recommend attending an alternate class night in order to learn the material.

Relay does not grant excused absences for school-specific conflicts. These types of conflicts are the most irreconcilable because professional teachers attend both school events and Relay events. Because Relay values graduate students’ attendance, participation, and contribution so highly, we publicize our class dates to the schools in which our teachers are placed as early as possible so that they are able to avoid scheduling conflicts to the best of their ability. Instructors post all in-person session materials on the Course Platform soon after class days so that graduate students can get caught up on the content of classes they missed. If a school-specific event occurs on a weeknight, graduate students should plan ahead to attend another evening session, as described above.

For absences (excused or unexcused) on the day of an in-person assessment, graduate students will earn a 0. Graduate students have one week from the due date to review class materials to submit the assessment onto the course platform for a score to replace the 0.

Timeliness is essential to being a professional teacher. Relay expects graduate students to be on time. Because many graduate students travel from schools to weeknight sessions, it is important to plan for travel time. It is equally important to be on time on Saturdays. Lateness results in a lower professionalism score.

People learn better when they are prepared to learn. Those who have done the reading can engage in exciting discussion about the text; those who have not fall behind. Those who have done practice problems often excel when applying the underlying skill to a more challenging situation the next day. As professionals, graduate students want to model what they will expect of their students. Therefore, they should plan to come to sessions prepared, having completed any assigned online instruction and related activities and readings.

In addition to in-person participation and engagement, Relay expects that graduate students submit assessments on time and in a thoughtful manner. All written work should meet the standards of academic writing. Relay expects that surveys, paperwork, and Relay-related email also be attended to in a timely manner.

Relay wants its graduate students to learn as much as possible and therefore holds for them high expectations of intellectual and interpersonal engagement. Relay expects graduate

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students to listen to peers and faculty members, ask questions, contribute new ideas, and actively participate in all learning activities. To fully engage with the material, graduate students should not use their phones or other personal devices during sessions. Additionally, engaging in online work, observation debriefings, and other appointments with professors are all potent parts of the Relay experience.

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Rubric Row

(Mod#: Row#)

(4) Exemplary

(3) Proficient

(2) Foundational

(1) Attempting

(0) Lacking

PROF-101: 1 Attendance

a. ATTENDANCE: The graduate student attends 100% of sessions

a. ATTENDANCE: The graduate student attends 90-99% of sessions



a. ATTENDANCE: The graduate student attends less than 70% of sessions

PROF-101: 2 Timeliness

a. TIMELINESS: The graduate student always arrives for class and returns from breaks on time (or early!)

a. TIMELINESS: The graduate student almost always arrives for class and returns from breaks on time

a. TIMELINESS: The graduate student is occasionally late to class and/or in returning from breaks

a. TIMELINESS: The graduate student is often late to class and/or in returning from breaks

a. TIMELINESS: The graduate student is usually late to class and/or in returning from breaks

PROF-101: 3 Preparation

a. PREPARATION: The graduate student is always prepared for class with all work (e.g., online sessions, entry ticket, etc.) completed and all materials prepped and on hand

a. PREPARATION: The graduate student is almost always prepared for class with work (e.g., online sessions, entry ticket, etc.) completed and materials prepped and on hand

a. PREPARATION: The graduate student occasionally fails to complete class work and/or to have prepped materials on hand

a. PREPARATION: The graduate student often fails to complete class work and/or to have prepped materials on hand

a. PREPARATION: The graduate student usually fails to complete class work and/or to have prepped materials on hand

PROF-101: 4 Follow Through

a. FOLLOW THROUGH: The graduate student always submits assessments in a timely, thorough, and thoughtful manner

a. FOLLOW THROUGH: The graduate student almost always submits assessments in a timely, thorough, and thoughtful manner

a. FOLLOW THROUGH: The graduate student occasionally submits assessments late, incomplete, and/or in less-than-thoughtful manner

a. FOLLOW THROUGH: The graduate student often submits assessments late, incomplete, and/or in less-than-thoughtful manner

a. FOLLOW THROUGH: The graduate student usually submits assessments late, incomplete, and/or in less-than-thoughtful manner

PROF-101: 5 Engagement

a. ENGAGEMENT: The graduate student is always fully intellectually engaged in class-time discussion, reading, work, and activities. S/he always engages with colleagues and Relay faculty & staff with respect, humility, and generosity of spirit

a. ENGAGEMENT: The graduate student is almost always fully intellectually engaged in class-time discussion, reading, work, and activities. S/he almost always engages with colleagues and Relay faculty & staff with respect, humility, and generosity of spirit

a. ENGAGEMENT: The graduate student is occasionally distracted or disengaged during class-time discussion, reading, work, or activities. S/he occasionally deviates from the standards of respect, humility, and generosity of spirit when engaging with colleagues and Relay faculty & staff

a. ENGAGEMENT: The graduate student is often distracted or disengaged during class-time discussion, reading, work, or activities. S/he often deviates from the standards of respect, humility, and generosity of spirit when engaging with colleagues and Relay faculty & staff

a. ENGAGEMENT: The graduate student is usually distracted or disengaged during class-time discussion, reading, work, or activities. S/he rarely embodies respect, humility, and generosity of spirit when engaging with colleagues and Relay faculty & staff

SWITCH ROW Overall, the teacher demonstrates professionalism

a. PROFESSIONALISM: The graduate student sets the standard for professionalism at Relay

a. PROFESSIONALISM: The graduate student demonstrates the professionalism we expect

a. PROFESSIONALISM: The graduate student needs to improve with respect to professionalism

a. PROFESSIONALISM: The graduate student needs to dramatically improve with respect to professionalism

a. PROFESSIONALISM: The graduate student is unprofessional

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If graduate students have not demonstrated foundational knowledge on a non-elective module assessment (i.e., earned at least a “2”) by the end of the term, these students’ low scores will be factored into their RSA for the term, and they will be required to enroll in a “Tutorial” version of that module in the subsequent term (e.g., CC-320T). Tutorials are designed to provide students the opportunity to complete all coursework necessary for graduation with individual support from advisors.

Select modules in the Relay program are prerequisites for future modules and must be retaken and passed before moving forward in the program.

Relay regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records or official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual integrity. Relay will treat any deliberate use of others’ work without citation as plagiarism. Graduate students who use school- or district-provided materials or materials from a published curriculum must cite their sources in the text in such a way as to make clear which portions of the work came from sources other than the graduate students themselves. The majority of a submitted assessment should be graduate students’ original written work. Any suspicion of academic dishonesty will be carefully examined in the following manner:

If a faculty member suspects graduate students have committed acts of academic dishonesty, the faculty member will first confer with the graduate students

If the graduate students admit to the violation, the faculty member — in consultation with the Assistant Dean of Students — will administer a sanction commensurate with the offense. The sanction could range from a Professionalism deduction to dismissal from the program

If the graduate students contest the allegation of academic dishonesty, the case will be reviewed by the Assistant Dean of Students. The Assistant Dean’s judgment is final

Repeated violations of the academic honesty policy will result in dismissal from the program

Teaching is a highly collaborative profession. Therefore, verbal collaboration with colleagues is permitted, provided that all collaborators share equally in the completion of the assessment and that all collaborators demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to complete the

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work. All collaboration should be verbal in nature, and graduate students should submit unique, individual written work for each assessment. Graduate students must list collaborator(s) on the assessment template. Failure to list a collaborator on an assessment will, at minimum, negatively affect graduate students’ professionalism scores and may lead to additional academic sanctions (e.g., overall module score penalty, resubmission of a module, etc.). If graduate students feel that there is a compelling reason to turn in the same written work as a colleague, the students must email their faculty members a proposal, including rationale, for the collaboration at least a week in advance of the collaborative submissions. Exceptions to the collaboration policy will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Dean’s Office.

If graduate students receive rubric scores that they do not believe represent their performance on an assessment, the students may appeal the score. They should first email the faculty member who assigned the score within one week of receiving the score. The faculty member will review the related documents and discuss any discrepancies in opinion with the graduate student; the faculty member will then reconsider his or her decision about the score. If, after receiving a decision from the faculty member, the graduate students still do not agree with the score, they may appeal to the Dean for a second consultation. The Dean’s decision will be final. The graduate students will receive notice of the status of the appeal within one week.

If graduate students cannot complete an assessment on time or need to reschedule a classroom observation due to extreme circumstances outside of the students’ control (e.g., hospitalization, school schedule change, etc.), graduate students must email the relevant faculty member as soon as possible to explain the situation and request an extension. In less extreme circumstances, the graduate students should contact the relevant faculty member to request an extension well in advance of the deadline. The granting of the extension is at the faculty member’s discretion. In either case, the graduate students and their faculty members will determine a reasonable extension deadline.

Faculty members will schedule and announce recurring office hours each term and are available to meet via appointment on an as-needed basis. Graduate students should submit requests for appointments directly to instructors.

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Children of graduate students are not allowed to attend Relay classes on a regular basis. In case of a child-care emergency, if possible, plan to attend an alternate class date. Otherwise, please reach out to an instructor to request one-time accommodations.

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We have designed the Relay academic calendar with the needs of full-time teachers in mind. Therefore, all Relay class days are scheduled during intensive summer sessions, Saturdays during the academic year, and weeknights. To further enhance the program’s flexibility, components of many modules are online. Below is an outline of the major anticipated dates on the Relay calendar for the 2016-2017 academic year.

S M T W T F S S M T W T F S KEY

28 29 30 31 1 2 3 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Year 1

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Year 2

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Year 1

18 19 20 21 22 23 24 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Year 2

25 26 27 28 29 30 1 30 31 Years 1 & 2

Graduation

S M T W T F S S M T W T F S

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

13 14 15 16 17 18 19* 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

20 21 22 23 24 25 26 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

27 28 29 30 25 26 27 28 29 30 31


1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4

8 9 10 11 12 13 14 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

22 23 24 25 26 27 28 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

29 30 31 26 27 28


1 2 3 4 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 16 17 18 19 20 21 22

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

26 27 28 29 30 31 1 30


1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30

Relay Graduate School of Education School Year 2016-2017

January February

March April

May June

November December

September October

Documents

This guide is maintained and posted on the Relay …...This guide is maintained and posted on the Relay Course Platform and can be found in the GEN-101 module. Please consult the Course