CLINICAL PRACTICE

A major part of the Tier I program is the job-embedded clinical practice consisting of opportunities for candidates to synthesize, apply knowledge, practice and develop the skills identified in Educator preparation Rule 505-3-77, the 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. (The PSELS can be found in the "Useful Links" page.) Students in the Tier I Program will be expected to complete 250 hours of clinical practice.

In order to complete the clinical practice expectations, students will need to log their clinical experiences in the clinical practice log.  In order to be authorized by GSU for Tier I certification, a log must be submitted to Dr. Rumbaugh and deemed "proficient."

You are required to complete 250 hours of leadership activities throughout the program (the M.Ed. Educational Leadership program and the Tier I Certificate Add-On Only program).  This requirement is in line with expectations from Georgia’s Professional Standards Commission (PSC).  Activities must align with the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSELs).  To successfully complete this requirement:

• Document 250 hours of LEADERSHIP activities in a clinical log

• Document participation in leadership activities related to different PSEL standards in a digital portfolio

• Capture diverse (building levels, leadership roles) leadership experiences you have participated in throughout the semester

When you finish your coursework, we must sign off that you have met the clinical hours requirement.  We must also verify that you have had a “diversity of experiences.”  For instance, if you are a math coach and all your hours are related to only that work, you would not meet the “diversity of experiences” requirement.  This is a challenging task but also a very valuable experience.  Throughout the program you’ll have opportunities to discuss this in classes as well in virtual sessions related to the program.

Appropriate activities throughout the Tier I program must be documented in the digital portfolio. Activities should be aligned to a leadership standard and documented through reflection as well as artifacts from a variety of leadership activities. Successful completion of the portfolio is required in this program.