Assessment and Evaluation of the Administrative Internship

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Internship Experiences: Minnesota K-12 Principal/Superintendent Interns are expected to apply their coursework and experience in schools. Prior to the beginning of the Internship, candidates will have completed an analysis of demonstrated strengths and progress toward proficiency in each Minnesota standard. Based on that assessment, the candidate, university supervisor, and the Primary Cooperating Administrator will establish specific experiences and activities designed to strengthen the candidate’s skills and expertise. During the internship, candidates will be evaluated through the candidate’s log, and conferences with the UMD Supervisor and Primary Cooperating Administrator. Summative evaluation of the mentor(s) and the supervisor will determine the course grade.

Principal Internship Project: In order to complete the Principal Internship at UMD, candidates for licensure will complete a project consisting of an analysis of student achievement and other pertinent data, and the identification of an underserved or disenfranchised population within a site. Candidates will be required to research the history and the current issues regarding the identified population, and to identify current best practices applied successfully in similar circumstances. The candidate will create a researched, realistic, pro-active plan for addressing the identified population and for making progress toward improved learning for those individuals. The project will be evaluated by the university supervisor and presented to the on-site mentor as well as to the Exit Panel Review. This project will be used to produce an additional score against the above competencies and as a separate component of the Exit Review.

Superintendent Internship Project: In order to complete the Superintendent Internship at UMD, candidates for licensure will complete a project designed to further assess the Core Foundational Standards for District Superintendents. This project will consist of an analysis of student achievement and other pertinent data and the identification of an underserved or disenfranchised population within district. Candidates will be required to research the history and the current issues regarding the identified population, and to identify current best practices applied successfully in similar circumstances. The candidate will create a researched, realistic, pro-active plan for addressing the identified situation and for making progress toward improved learning for those individuals. The project will be evaluated by the university supervisor and presented to the on-site mentor as well as to the Exit Panel Review. This project will be used to produce an additional score against the above competencies and as a separate component of the Exit Review.

Electronic Portfolio: Throughout the course of enrollment, components of the electronic portfolio will be completed, allowing the learner and the advisor to monitor progress and to intervene as appropriate. Learners will be introduced to the portfolio requirements during an initial advisement meeting, and through completion of the Individual Licensure Plan. The Electronic Portfolio will be constructed to hold, at minimum, the candidate’s individual scores against all standards assigned to coursework, grades achieved in courses, individual evidence against standards as uploaded by the learner, the Statement of Educational Administrative Philosophy, and the Internship Project. The candidate will finalize the presentational portfolio during EdAd 5997 - Professional Competency Assessment for Principals or EdAd 5998 – Professional Competency Assessment for Superintendents, and prepare a presentation summarizing the portfolio for the Exit Panel Review. Presentational Portfolios will be scored based on completeness and accuracy. Successful completion of EdAd 5997 is pre-requisite to the exit process and application for licensure as a Minnesota K-12 Principal. Successful completion of EdAd 5998 is pre-requisite to the exit process and application for licensure as a Minnesota Superintendent

Exit Panel Review Process: As the candidate completes all required coursework and internship experiences, he/she will file a Request for Exit Panel Review with the Student Affairs Office. The office will verify the successful completion of coursework and internship experiences, contact participants, and schedule the Exit Panel Review. Licensure materials will also be issued to the candidate at that time. Upon notification from the Student Affairs Office, the candidate’s professional competency course instructor, the university supervisor and the candidate’s advisor will consult to determine the components of the Exit Panel review. If all competencies show evidence of adequate achievement, exit panel questions will be chosen based on situations likely to be encountered in the candidate’s future placements.

The Exit Panel Review will consist of the questions and scenarios chosen by the faculty, and will serve as a defense of the candidate’s portfolio, internship project and presentation of philosophy. The Exit Panel will consist of one practicing administrator, one core faculty member, one current member of an area school board or representative, and the Educational Administration Program Coordinator. The candidate will have forwarded access to the presentation portfolio to each of the panel members at least two weeks prior to the review.

The candidate will present a summary of the portfolio, the internship project, and his/her philosophy, and will be expected to answer any questions from the panel regarding the portfolio, the evidence or artifacts contained in the portfolio, the internship project, the internship experiences, coursework, or philosophy. The candidate will also respond to questions posed by the panel members.

The panel will deliberate to identify any areas of concern that would prevent recommendation for licensure. If no areas are identified, the candidate is notified of successful completion of the program.

If the decision of the panel is to not recommend for licensure, the candidate will be notified as to the areas of limitation and advised as to remediation. Once the areas of limitation are addressed, the original panel members are notified and the panel will re-assemble either face to face or electronically. The candidate may also choose to request a new panel be assembled to review revisions.

Final Verification and Recommendation for Licensure: Once all requirements have been met, and the candidate has completed and returned the license materials to the Student Affairs Office for verification, the Licensing Officer (Associate Dean) will recommend licensure of the candidate to the agency. All appropriate forms will be filed from the Associate Dean’s office.