Lifelong Education Administration & Policy

EDAP 7801, EDAP 7802, and EDAP 7803—The Practicum*

General Description and Overview **

The Practicum provides students an opportunity to consider, evaluate, and implement theories of leadership and educational administration and policy in a school setting. Students apply concepts learned in educational administration and policy courses to school (EDAP 7800) and central office leadership activities (EDAP 8800).

For students enrolled in the Master’s Degree and the non-degree L5 Traditional Certification Programs, EDAP 7800 will be offered beginning in summer 2007, all three semesters. Moreover, students who matriculate in summer 2007 for the Master’s Degree and the L5 will sustain three (3), one (1) hour classes of EDAP 7800-level courses (EDAP 7801, EDAP 7802, EDAP 7803).

Across each of the three semesters in which students engage in 75 hours of field experiences that not only complement and extend course materials and activities, but also help to meet the goals and objectives of EDAP 7801, EDAP 7802, and EDAP 7803 align with the ELCC Standards for Administrator Preparation. Students are required to develop a portfolio in which artifacts representing activities sustained during the experience are presented to the professor of record at the conclusion of each semester of enrollment.

Course meetings are typically held three times during each semester of enrollment, meeting on Saturdays from approximately 8:00 a.m. to noon. Class meeting dates and times are available at the time of registration. Students should consult OASIS for meeting dates and times. EDAP 7800 typically is offered at the Georgia Gwinnett College. To receive credit for EDAP 7801, EDAP 7802, and EDAP 7803, it is an expectation that students will be present for each course meeting throughout the three semesters of enrollment.

Specific course goals for the practicum are

To provide students opportunities to observe building level administrators while they do the work of school administration and leadership.
To provide students opportunities to engage in the work of building level administrators.
To provide students opportunities to reflect on their field experiences and to engage in reflective discussion about their field experiences.
To provide students with a working knowledge of the standards that guide the choice of activities throughout the practicum experience.
To provide students with the opportunity to create a portfolio illustrating the varied activities in which they engaged throughout the practicum experience.

Full attendance at all class meetings.
Participate in reflective class discussions during each class meeting.
Participate in a minimum of 75 hours of standards-based activities by the third class meeting.
Shadow your principal for 5-10 hours while they are doing the “work” of the principal.

Create a summary of each shadow opportunity. A shadow opportunity should be a minimum of 2-3 hours at a time. Indicate date, time, persons involved, situation(s), and/or activities.
Interview the principal. Ask her or him about the things you observed, the situations, and their reactions.
Write a reflection (1-2 pages) relating the shadowing experience. Include any surprises or unexpected discoveries about the work of the principal that you made during the shadowing experience.
Attach your notes made while shadowing, the summary of each shadow opportunity, and your interview notes to the reflective paper.

Shadow an AP for 5-10 hours while they are doing their “work.” Complete the same items for the AP shadow experience as listed in the principal shadow experience.
Complete a portfolio containing appropriate documentation and artifacts that demonstrate participation in the seven standards as described in course materials. This requirement is to be handed in at the last (third) class meeting.

Approximately 55-65 hours are to be spent in activities that immerse the student in each of the seven standards.
A student should have at least 5 hours invested in each standard.
Performance evidence is required for each of the standards. Each standard has from 3-5 elements or separate, identifiable content or set of skills. Performance evidence can be acquired matching appropriate activities with these elements.
Brief (1-2 page) summaries as well as artifacts should be included in the portfolio for each activity undertaken.
The portfolio should be divided by standards with a section labeled for each of the seven standards.
The portfolio should contain a labeled section for displaying the artifacts and a summary of an In-depth Practicum Project undertaken and completed by the student. This project may, by arrangement with the instructor, overlap both semesters of the practicum. This arrangement must be made in writing with the instructor by the second class meeting of the first semester.
The portfolio should contain the following items:
Table of Contents
Practicum Activity Log
Practicum Evaluation by a Practitioner Administrator
Participant Performance Summary
Shadow Opportunities
Standards-based Activities
In-depth Practicum Project

Present a brief reflective overview of the practicum experience during the last class meeting lasting from 3-5 minutes.

* Beginning in 2007, the course number for EDAP 7800 will change to EDAP 7801, EDAP 7802, and EDAP 7803 to reflect the differences in the first, second, and third hour segments related to course content. For students beginning their programs of study prior to summer 2007, two hours of EDAP 7800 are needed. Advisement will dictate whether students enroll in EDP 7801 (first hour), EDAP 7802 (second hour), or EDP 7803 (third hour).

** During the first course meeting, students will receive a packet detailing all course expectations and requirements.

Educational Administration and Policy

Graduate Handbook