Table of Contents Welcome 2 StaBiographies 3-4 History othe Golden Apple Scholars Program 5 Denition oSchool oNeed 6-7 Summer Institute: Goals, Outcomes, Design, and Policies 7-15 Financial aid Policies and Scholar Responsibility 15-16 General Policies 17-18 Scho lar Status: Active, Probation, Leav e oAbsence, and T eac hing 18-20 Scho lar T eac hing Obligation 20-21 Pathwa y Sch olar s 21 Partner Institutions and University Liaisons 22-27 Scholar Policy and Conduct Agreement 31
This handbook serves as a guide and a resource, providing you,your parents or guardians, and anyone else interested with a clearunderstanding o the general policies and procedures o theGolden Apple Scholars o Illinois program. By accepting this titleo Golden Apple Scholar, you agree to abide by the tenets o thisprogram detailed herein. It is your responsibility to read this
handbook careully to understand all that is provided you and allthat is expected o you.
Since our rst Summer Institute in 1989, we have seen the missiono the Scholars program as a journey, both exciting and arduous,designed to honor your potential and challenge you to engagein a unique study o the teaching proession. We hope through
this program to help you recognize how important you can be tothe uture o education in Illinois.
There is much we wish to share with you and many ways in whichwe can help you. Our sincerest wish is that soon the children o Illinois will have new and wonderul people to call their teacher.Together, we will strive to help you realize your dream.
Jim Sorensen1999 Fellow, Golden Apple AcademyDirector,Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois
Dominic V. Belmonte1987 Fellow, Golden Apple AcademyPresident and Chie Executive Ocer,Golden Apple Foundation
Jim Sorensen, Director o Golden Apple Scholars, is a 1999 GoldenApple Fellow who joined the Foundation in June 2006. He taught language
arts, literacy, social studies, and science or thirty-our years at ChippewaMiddle School in Des Plaines Elementary School District #62. The IllinoisState Board o Education commended him with a Those Who Excel Awardo Merit in 1992, and the North Suburban Library Association named himCommunity Advocate o the Year in 2003 or his service projects bringingchildren into the library. In 2012 he received the Distinguished Alumni Awardrom the Maine Township Education Foundation. He earned his BA rom NIUand his MA rom Concordia.
Carol Broos, Technology Coordinator, is a 2008 Golden Apple Fellowwho joined the Foundation in 2012. She coordinates and integrates technologywith the sta, Golden Apple Scholars, Fellows, and the Inquiry ScienceInstitute. She is also Chair o the Academy, 2008 Illinois Music Teacher o theYear, 2008 Google Teacher Academy Educator, and a 2009 Apple DistinguishedEducator. Carol worked or thirty-three years as a K-8 general music teacher atSunset Ridge School in Northeld and Aptakisic-Tripp School in Bualo Grove.She received her BME rom The Ohio State University and her MA romNortheastern Illinois University.
Carolyn Cyriaque, Scholars Program Assistant Director: Mentoring,is a 1996 Golden Apple Fellow who joined the Foundation in 1999. She visitsand conducts the observation program o all teaching Scholars, and assists inacquiring the on-sites used or Summer Institute. Carolyn worked or overthirty years in Chicago Public Schools, most recently at Coles Model orExcellence Elementary School. She received her BA rom UIC and her MA
rom Chicago State.Dannielle Dungey, Scholars Program Associate Director: Academic
Counseling/Mentoring, was named a Golden Apple Scholar in 2000. Atercompleting her ve-year commitment to the Golden Apple Foundation as asocial studies instructor at Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Blue Island,she joined the Scholars program in 2012 to assist in mentoring undergraduateScholars. She received her BS in History rom Northern Illinois University andher MA in School Leadership rom Concordia University.
Mary Farmar, Scholars Program Associate Director: Mentoring, is a1989 Golden Apple Fellow who joined the Foundation in June 2010. She taughtsocial studies and literacy or thirty-our years: twelve in the Archdiocese o Chicago and twenty-two years in Oak Park at Percy Julian Middle School.Mary is the recipient o a Those Who Excel Award rom the Illinois State Boardo Education. She has also received awards and recognition or her CommunityService Learning programs. Mary received her BA. rom Marycrest Collegeand her MA rom National-Louis University.
Patricia Kildu, Scholars Program Assistant Director:
Recruitment/Placement, is responsible or eorts to solicit nominationso both high school and college students or the Illinois Scholars program.Prior to joining the Foundation in December, 1995, Ms. Kildu served as theDirector o Corporate Development and Board Relations or the Chapin Hall
Center or Children at the University o Chicago. She received her BA degreerom Xavier University.
Rocio Manriquez, Scholars Program Associate Director: Selection/
Program Coordination, joined the Foundation in October, 1996. She isa graduate o the Computer Learning Center. Rocio is responsible or theselection process o Golden Apple Scholars, maintaining the Scholar databasesand mailings, and assists with placement activities and as event planner or the
Scholars reception and coordination o all Summer Institute activities. She alsooversees the loan repayments or Scholars.
Ann-Morgan Rowell, Scholars Program Administrative Assistant, joined the Foundation in July o 2006. Ann has worked with victims o domestic violence and Arican American same gender loving women. She cameto Golden Apple rom Maria Shelter, a homeless shelter or single women andwomen with children.
Jozel Shwatal, Scholars Program Associate Director: Mentoring,was named a Golden Apple Scholar in 1994. Ater completing her ve-yearcommitment to the Golden Apple Foundation as a social studies instructorat Schurz High School in Chicago, she joined the Scholars program in 2005to assist in mentoring teaching Scholars and in recruitment activities. Shereceived her BS in secondary education rom the University o Illinois atUrbana-Champaign and her masters in Teaching and Leadership rom St. XavierUniversity. In addition to her classroom visits as a mentor, Jozel works toprovide job placement assistance to Scholars as they approach graduation.
Sister Raeleen Sweeney, Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois Program,
Special Assistant to President/CEO, is a 1988 Golden Apple Fellowand a member o the Sisters o the Presentation o the Blessed Virgin Mary o Dubuque, Iowa. She taught elementary grade children or 31 years. Includedin her education experience is working with student teachers, conductingclassroom research or McGraw-Hill on individualized reading skills, providingmath workshops or the Archdiocese o Dubuque teachers, and teaching
Elementary Teaching Skills at Clarke College. She has served the Foundationsince 1991 coordinating the selection process or Scholar contingents andmentoring eort. From 1997 to 2012, she was responsible primarily or theplanning and presentation o the yearly CORE conerence or teaching Scholarsand colleagues. She earned her BA in education rom Clarke College and herMA in language arts rom Wisconsin State University.
PurposeThe purpose o the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program is to recruit and
prepare high school graduates and college sophomores who have the promiseor successul careers as excellent teachers in service to children in schools o need throughout Illinois. This purpose perectly ts the Golden AppleFoundation’s Mission Statement.
Mission Statement: Transorming Teachers and TeachingAt Golden Apple, our mission is to inspire, develop and support teacher excellencein Illinois, especially in schools o need. Because the critical contributor to studentachievement is the quality o the teacher in the classroom, Golden Apple provides
exceptional teacher preparation or teachers at all stages o their careers. Through ourinnovative programs oering method, resource and mentorship, we work to transormteachers and teaching, enriching both student and teacher lives.
HistoryThe Golden Apple Foundation was created in 1985 to recognize excellentteachers in the Chicago metropolitan area, renew the spirit o excellent teachers,and recruit outstanding teachers or Illinois. Each year ten teachers are
awarded the Foundation’s Golden Apple Award or excellence in classroomteaching. These teachers are inducted into a voluntary proessional organization,the Golden Apple Academy, which brings the perspectives o classroomteachers to the eorts o educational reorm.
Recognizing the critical shortage o teachers in Illinois schools, the Fellows o the Golden Apple Academy began to plan a program in 1987 to vigorouslyrecruit talented students to become teachers in Illinois communities with the
greatest need. The Academy would provide appropriate methodology and subjectmatter through its Summer Institutes to inspire Scholars to develop thequalities and knowledge needed to excel. The Institutes give methodology thatworks and add the real lie experiences o recognized superior teachers to thepreparation provided in college. Most importantly, the Fellows believed that theproessionalism and recognized excellence o the Golden Apple Academywould strengthen a Scholar’s passion or teaching and lielong learning.
Since its inception in 1989, the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program hascreated partnerships with primary and secondary schools, universities, governmental bodies, and community organizations. In 1993, the program’s successinfuenced the State o Illinois to allow the Golden Apple Foundation to receiveunding to expand statewide, providing more Scholars the opportunity to developinto excellent teachers or classrooms in schools o need throughout the state.
Research Shows the Multiaceted Impact o the Golden AppleScholars ProgramThe Parthenon Group, a strategic advisory rm with education-industry expertise,conducted an in-depth assessment o the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program todetermine program perormance and impact. The research conducted by Parthenon rom2011 through 2012 demonstrated that the Scholars program delivers measurable benetsto Scholars, to schools, to students, and to the State o Illinois. Among the most striking ndings:
moved a signifcantly higher percentage o students to meeting or exceeding
standards on the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) than the average
district teacher.
Defnition o a school o needThe Golden Apple Foundation uses two criteria to designate schools in Illinoisas “o need”: an economic denition and an academic denition. Each is helpulto identiy underserved schools whose students would benet rom GoldenApple Scholars on aculty.
The economic denition o an Illinois school o need is as ollows: I an
Illinois school is listed on the ederal government’s Department o
Education “Perkins Loan” orgiveness list as having a signifcant
student population rom amilies who earn low income, that school
qualifes or ulflling the Scholars’ teaching commitment.
The academic denition o a school o need is as ollows: I a school reports
through its Illinois Report Card that the combined percentage o its
students who met or exceeded state standards is less than or equal
to 60% in two subject areas (at any grade), that school qualifes in ulflling
the Scholars teaching commitment.
All Scholars contractually agree to teach or ve years in an Illinois School o Need. Thisve year commitment must be completed within seven years o earning the bachelor’sdegree and acquiring initial Illinois teacher certication in Illinois schools so designated bythe Golden Apple Foundation.
Profle o a ScholarThe attributes o a Golden Apple Scholar are complex and interwoven. An excellent
teacher-to-be must balance the rigors o college and personal lie. We aim to enhancethe chances o our Scholars’ academic success in college. The program is designed todemonstrate the importance o individual attention. Key to this program is our steadastinterest in Scholars as individuals and as uture teachers.
We believe Scholars must be experts in their particular disciplines, possessexcellent work habits, and exhibit a capacity or hard work and serious eort.Respect or others, scrupulous attention to assignments, punctuality: all are necessary
traits which, together with a positive sel-concept and desire to teach, arewhat we seek in Scholars. In addition, we hope to help Scholars develop theability to make decisions, handle stress, deal assertively with the demands o acomplex world, and develop the skills necessary to maintain a healthy, positiveoutlook.
Traditional Scholars join us at the end o their senior year in high school, while PathwayScholars enter the program at the end o their sophomore year in college.
An excellent teacher-to-be must exhibit intellectual curiosity and must be acompassionate, resilient person, aware o the travails o growing up, sensitive tothe problems o young people and concerned about their well-being.Excellence in teaching is the hallmark o a Golden Apple Scholar. We want to prepareScholars to enter a classroom and exempliy these traits.
SUMMER INSTITUTE:
GOALS, OUTCOMES, DESIGN & POLICIES
The Summer Institute (SI)The heart o this program, known as Summer Institute (SI), is a series o ourconsecutive summer experiences that are planned, taught, and administered bythe Fellows o the Golden Apple Academy and Teaching Scholars. Every classat SI has as its basic element the demonstration o the art and crat o teaching.
Golden Apple Scholars convene or the rst two summers ater selection at a Chicagouniversity or a ve-week paid residential internship. In the rst two summers o theprogram, Scholars are involved in teaching settings with Chicago school children inthe morning and take courses refecting on those morning experiences and on the arto teaching in the aternoon. The Summer Institute’s rst two summers draw on the
collective resources o local participating elementary and secondary schools. The thirdsummer’s experience assigns Scholars to appropriate grade level learning experiencesin ve-week paid residential experiences at various universities throughout Illinois.The ourth summer experience is a ve-week residential institute at a host universitythat provides preparation or entering student teaching and the teaching proession. Anadditional resource, known as the CORE (Center or Ongoing Renewal and Enrichment)conerence, is oered or teaching Scholars to provide opportunities to refect on theearly teaching years and learn methods to improve and enhance their work. Continuing
proessional development units (CPDU’s) can be earned through preparation in theCORE conerence or certication renewal.
Participation in the rst our Summer Institute activities is mandatory or all Scholars.Other outside activities should be postponed or cancelled during the weeks o SummerInstitutes. The Summer Institutes traditionally begin the last week o June and continuethrough the end o July. Scholars are required to attend one CORE conerence in theirrst ve years o teaching. We nd that those who attend one year come back the next.
A stipend or participating in the rst our Summer Institutes is paid to Scholars by theGolden Apple Foundation.
GOALS
The goals o Summer Institute, a model o teacher preparation,include the ollowing:
the role o “refective practitioner” in urthering their personal growth as teachers;and
•BecomeacatalystforeducationalchangeinIllinois.
DESIGN
Summer Institute Overview
The rst and second Summer Institutes will be a ve-week paid residentialinternship at a Chicago-area university.
First Summer Introduction to working with children, building awareness of and interaction with theGolden Apple Academy Fellows, Scholars, and the Golden Apple Foundation.
Second Summer Continuing course work on the art of teaching, with emphasis on lesson planning, learning styles, and the needs of diverse students.
Continuing course work on the art o teaching, with emphasis on providing grade levelappropriate instruction at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Scholars will be assigned to a paid ve-week residential experience at various universities throughoutIllinois.
Fourth Summer Preparation for entering the profession
The ourth Summer Institute will be a paid ve-week residential experience at
a Chicago-area university.
The ourth summer program will oer ocused experiences to each Scholar.Fourth summer Scholars participate in an interactive learning experience o classroom dynamics, project learning, perormance assessment, resume writing,interviewing skills, and proessional development.
Golden Apple Teaching Scholars Programs
GATS (Golden Apple Teaching Scholars)Induction and mentoring assistance
Ater beginning to teach, all Golden Apple Scholars are visited in their rst twoyears by a Golden Apple Teacher or observation, guidance, problem-solving, andmentoring. When necessary, multiple visitations are provided.
CORE (Center or Ongoing Renewal and Enrichment) Conerence or Teaching ScholarsRetention in teaching and enrichment opportunities
Scholars, ater beginning their teaching careers, will be oered the CORE conerenceeach summer. Each Scholar is required to attend one CORE conerence in their rst ve
years o teaching. The residential conerence seeks to cement the bondScholars have with each other as teaching colleagues, oer urther opportunitiesto strengthen their teaching acumen and subject matter knowledge, and allowteaching Scholars to become urther involved in leadership activities. TeachingScholars are invited to participate in the planning o the CORE conerence.Continuing proessional development units (CPDUs) or acquiring and maintainingthe standard Illinois Teaching certicate are available through participationin the CORE conerence.
Summer Institute (SI) Policies
Regarding the stipends paid to Scholars during the Golden Apple Summer Institute:Scholars attending the rst our Summer Institutes are not considered employeeso the Golden Apple Foundation. However, during SI Scholars receive a
stipend or active participation in scheduled activities o the Summer Institute.Specic policies concerning stipends and behavioral expectations or SummerInstitute are published and presented to Scholars engaged in the program eachyear. Stipends are considered income by the state and ederal government andmust be declared on ederal tax returns. The Golden Apple Foundation does notwithhold taxes or Scholars who earn the summer stipend.
Bridge programs
I a Scholar is required by the university to participate in a special “bridgeprogram” during the summer beore reshman year and is unable to completethe ve weeks o SI, the Golden Apple Foundation will ensure the Scholar ullpayment o the SI stipend or each day the Scholar attends that program inlieu o SI. This program must be mandated as part o university admission,and this arrangement must be approved by the Scholars Director beore SI begins.
Punctuality, appearance and attendance
Scholars are viewed as representatives o the Golden Apple Foundation. Assuch, a Scholar is expected to be punctual and appropriately attired at assignedSI and eld site classes. Scholars are required to contact a Liaison i they cannotattend a session o the Institute. Any tardiness or absence outside prescribedexceptions will result in reduction o the stipend. Scholars attending SummerInstitute will be given more specic inormation on attendance, rules, regulationsand appearance.
Although Scholars do not receive grades nor college credit or their workduring SI, attitude and work quality are gauged by the instructors o SI andserve as measures or continuation in the program. Insucient work ethic ornegative attitude developed during Summer Institute can be cause or dismissalrom the program, stipend reduction, or probation. Thereore, it is importantthat Scholars budget their time to complete all assignments and attend all experiencesully and responsibly during SI. Prior arrangements can be made with instructors i circumstances arise which interere with completion o assignments in a timely manner.
University lie at SI
Scholars must reside on campus during SI and abide by all established residentialpolicies o local law, the host university, and the Golden AppleFoundation. Any abridgment places a Scholar’s standing in jeopardy, especiallyin the cases o alcohol or drug use or violations detailed in the Code o Conduct section o this Handbook. Scholars are nancially liable or any damageto the rooms they are assigned, and restitution as prescribed by the hostuniversity will be deducted rom the stipend.
Institute participants will receive a policy sheet that will speciy behavior expectationand detail the consequences o abridgment o those expectations.
Code o Conduct
It is essential that all Scholars hold a high ethical standard. Scholars representgreat promise to the state, the teaching proession, and the Golden AppleFoundation. To protect the integrity o this program, and indeed o the teachingproession, we require that certain academic, moral and legal standards o conduct be maintained, both during the school year and while SummerInstitute is in session.
It is essential that all Scholars hold a high ethical standard. Scholars represent greatpromise to the state, the teaching proessions, and the Golden Apple Foundation. Toprotect the integrity o this program, and indeed o the teaching proession, we requirethat certain academic, moral, and legal standards o conduct be maintained, both duringthe school year and while Summer Institute is in session.
Expectations o a Golden Apple Scholar
Scholars, as representatives o the Golden Apple Foundation, must exempliy excellence.Any conduct that negatively aects the good order, welare, or name o the Golden AppleAcademy, the Scholars, or the Foundation is considered a serious breach o trust.
Expected Behaviors Unacceptable Behaviors
Attitude I am always respectful of myself, myteachers and others, I have a positiveattitude.
Behaves in a disrespectful manner, critical of thework of others.
Focus on Class work I consistently stay focused on in-class workand what needs to be done. I am veryself-directed.
Does not focus on class work and what needsto be done.
Contributions I routinely provide useful ideas whenparticipating in classroom discussion. Iam a definite leader who contributes a lotof effort.
Rarely provides useful ideas when participatingin classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.
Working with Others I listen to, share with, and support theefforts of others.
Does not listen to, share with, or support theefforts of others. Often disrupts or discouragesothers’ attempts to participate.
Preparedness I bring needed materials to class and amalways ready to work.
Does not bring materials and/or is rarely ready to get to work.
Time Management I turn assignments in on time. Does not get work done by deadlines, may ask for extensions, or does not submit work despiteallotted time.
Quality of Work I provide work of the highest quality thatreflects my best efforts.
Provides work that reflects very little effort
Handbook I read and am fully aware of all rulesoutlined in the Scholar handbook.
Scholar does not follow rules as outlined in theScholar handbook.
Behavior I am actively and positively engaged in
class on a daily basis.
Scholar is not engaged, frequently sleeps and/
or disrupts class.
Professionalism I model the professional attitudes,behavior, and dress expected for eachsituation and context.
Does not model the professional attitudes,behaviors, and dress expected for each situationand context.
Personal Dignity I respect the personal dignity of all otherScholars.
Makes unwelcome advances or takes any other action to create a hostile environment for any Scholar or person affiliated with the Program.
Scholars, as representatives o the Golden Apple, must exempliy excellence.Any conduct that negatively aects the good order, welare, or name o the Golden AppleAcademy, the Scholars or the Foundation is considered a serious breach o trust.
The ollowing are examples o misconduct that will not be toleratedand will be cause or immediate Review/Exit Procedure (see p. 19):
• Use of violence, force or intimidation which endangers the safety of
sta, citizenry or ellow Scholars;
• Sexual or ethnic harassment of anyone, regardless of age or relationship;
• Gang membership or participation in any gang activity;
• Conviction of a felony;• Misuse of technology/internet.
Being a Scholar in the IM/Facebook Age
Part o what we try to demonstrate through the Scholars program is that the teacher’s liemust be a disciplined lie. The long hours, the responsibility, the very clear reality o lie
as a public servant are all gradually revealed to the prospective teacher. You are a publicgure by dint o being in ront o children or hours each day. You are to their amilies theace o the school where you will work. To your administrators you are the proessionalace o the school, the very embodiment o the educational atmosphere they are trying tooster. And by dint o your involvement in the Golden Apple Foundation or Excellence inTeaching, you represent the best hope our organization can nd and prepare as the nextgeneration o great Illinois teachers.
Along that path to becoming a great teacher, the decisions you make in your preparatoryyears can impact your reaching your goal to teach. In a job market where choice o teachers is oten a choice based on the quality o the character o the candidate as muchas that candidate’s quality o preparation, anything which causes aspersion cast on thecharacter o that prospective teacher deadens the prospect o that candidate joiningthe proession.
We ask you to practice caution in engaging in the instant accessibility and widespread
use o electronic community. Its eect in shrinking the earth and ostering dialoguehas obvious benets, but it also has its dark side, a side you should understand containsconsequences or decisions made.
The chie irony o the IM age is its compromising quality o the concept o privacy. Incyberspace there is no such thing as privacy. What you write and what you post becomespart o the world’s bulletin board. And as uture public servants, such decisions can bedeleterious to your career plans.
Recently, a news agency aired a segment on how companies routinely sur the webchecking out posting sites o prospective employees they have interviewed, and decidednot to hire candidates who posted salacious photographs o themselves and their riendsengaging in questionable activity or espousing racist or objectionable views. It is easy tosee how school ocials would be leery o including candidates that exhibit web evidence
that compromise the trust implied in the teaching dynamic. Why would an administratortrust their students and the reputation they strive to create to someone with questionable judgment?
A Scholar can be excused rom the program because o objectionable judgment inposting and commenting on a web page. Such an action is congruent with our policyin considering any action deemed harmul to the reputation o the Golden AppleFoundation. You are the visible ace o our eorts to improve the proession. We will be
vigilant in protecting that reputation.
Midterm Review
During any Summer Institute, Scholars whose grades, attitude or work ethic has beenquestioned by Golden Apple Foundation representatives will be brought to a mid-termreview. Representatives o the Golden Apple Foundation will discuss concerns with the
Scholarsand(ifdeemednecessary)hisorherparents/guardiansandwillrecommendtothe Scholars program director either placement or probation or termination romthe program.
FINANCIAL AID POLICIES
AND SCHOLAR RESPONSIBILITY
The Scholars program has been unded through various sources since the program’sinception. Scholars chosen ater 1996 receive a set amount o moneyeach year or our years or eight semesters paid to the partner university the Scholarattends.
The Scholars program is dependent on government unding. Changes in thatunding could alter or remove aspects o the program, including the amount o
scholarship provided by Golden Apple. Regardless o the impact o unding orscholarship, Golden Apple Scholars are expected to complete the ull teachingcommitment here stipulated.
Each Scholar is required to apply or nancial aid using the appropriateFree Application or Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
While the nancial opportunities aorded Scholars over the years dier, the
responsibility Scholars shoulder remains the same. This section serves to clariythat responsibility.
Regardless o year selected, the proessional and nancial opportunities aordedScholars are provided as long as government provides sucient unding and
the Scholar:
1) maintains a cumulative grade point average in college o 2.5 on a 4.0 scale,
2) graduates rom a partner university and achieves Illinois Initial TeacherCertication, and
3) teaches in an Illinois school o need as dened by the Golden Apple
Foundation (see page 6) or ve years within seven years ater earning the bachelor’sdegree and initial teacher certication.
For each year a Scholar teaches in a school so designated by the Foundation,20%ofthemoneypaidbytheGoldenAppleFoundationinaScholar’sname
or college is “orgiven” by the Foundation. A orgiven amount means that theScholar has ullled that portion o their responsibility by teaching in theschools in Illinois targeted by the Foundation and need not repay that amount
to the Foundation.
There are consequences i a Scholar does not ulll the contracted commitmententered into with the Foundation.
I a Scholar leaves the program or any reason, or i a Scholar does not teachin a school designated by the Foundation as “o need” or ve years within sevenyears ater earning the bachelor’s degree and initial teacher certication as stipulated
in the contract signed by Scholars, all “unorgiven” monies paid to apartner university on a Scholar’s behal become a loan rom the Golden AppleFoundation that the Scholar must repay to the Foundation. Ater rst seeking restitutioninternally, a collection agency will be contracted to acquire unorgiven unds rom aScholar who does not communicate with us.
Scholars and their amilies enter through contract an understanding that the benets o participating in the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program can
only be oered and continued provided the Golden Apple Foundation receivessucient unding or the program.
CommunicationsThe Foundation oce uses phone calls, voice mail, e-mail and posted mailingsto contact Scholars. It is absolutely vital that all Scholars respond to correspondenceand return phone messages as soon as possible. It is also essential or Scholars tocommunicate phone number and address changes in a timely manner or either home orcampus.
With limited sta and an ever-increasing number o Scholars, it is essential thatScholars remain in contact with the sta at the Golden Apple Foundation oce.
Grade and Transcript ReportingPublic accountability required by our state unding necessitates that a Scholar’stranscript and letter o university admittance be available to the Golden AppleScholars sta and placed in the Scholars’ les. A current ocial grade releaseorm requesting that grades be sent to the Foundation oce must be in eachScholar’s older beore any stipend check may be issued. Scholars must signsuch release orms prior to acceptance in the program. Scholars should also take theinitiative to orward, screen shot or copy and paste their grades to us every markingperiod.
Campus MeetingsOnce each school year, the Golden Apple Liaisons will plan a campus meeting at eachparticipating university that has a cohort o Scholars. On campuses with small Scholarpopulations, these meetings may be conducted by phone. Scholar issues will be discussedat this meeting as well as university and sta concerns. Scholars are required to attendthese meetings.
Scholar ServiceScholars may be asked to serve at various events and activities that are necessary or theproper unctioning o the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program. Serving onthese committees and at these unctions is voluntary.
Progress toward graduationThe Board o Directors o the Golden Apple Foundation has stipulated that noScholar be given unds o any kind ater the Scholar’s ourth year or 8 semesters o college
(two years or 4 semesters or Pathway Scholars.) The Golden Apple Foundation expectsScholars to make signicant and appropriate progress towards completing a degree. Wedene progress toward graduationas successully completing at least three courses each marking period (semester orquarter). Scholars who all below this expectation will be placed on probation.
I a Scholar determines that he or she will not be able to graduate or gainteacher certication within our years, the Scholar will be allowed to take university
credit or transerable summer courses and postpone their attendance during the Scholar’sthird or ourth summer in the program. The Scholar must inorm the Scholar sta whenpostponing S. I.
RightsA Scholar has the right to express opinions, take stands and support causes aswell as the responsibility to respect those who express dierent opinions and causes.
Scholars have the right to review the contents o their les at any time exceptletters o recommendation written under conditions o condentiality. Priornotice must be given to Scholars sta beore les can be accessed.
Scholars have the right to voice their concerns and help shape the policy and decision-
making processes o the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program.
SCHOLAR STATUS
To be an active Scholar means the Scholar will complete the program in good standingand enter the teaching proession in an Illinois School o Need. Status as a Golden Apple
Scholar is based on academic perormance during the school year and work whileSummer Institute is in session. I a Scholar ails to comply with established standardsand policies, our response will be one o compassion and careul consideration. To assistScholars in achieving their goal and to insure the integrity o the program, a provisionallevel has been designated: Probation.
ProbationProbation is a provisional, perormance-based ocial expression o
concern by the Golden Apple Foundation or a Scholar, assigned by theDirector when a Scholar:
•failstomaintainacumulativeGPAof2.5(4.0scale)orbetterforeachmarking period; or
When a Scholar is placed on Probation, the Director will speciy the conditions thata Scholar must ulll within a designated time period to continue as a Scholar. Fullcompliance during the prescribed time returns a Scholar to ull status.
While a Scholar is on probation, scholarship unds will not be orwarded to a
university in that Scholar’s name until the specics o the probation contracthave been reached. Once probation is resolved, scholarship to that Scholar willcontinue the subsequent marking period.
I a Scholar’s academic perormance during a marking period has promptedconcern by the Scholars sta, that Scholar’s perormance during the subsequentmarking period in college will be monitored. The university liaison will be contacted,and ollow up calls will determine a Scholar’s improvement. The sta
will work in conjunction with the university liaison to help the Scholar becomeaware o options the university oers. The Golden Apple Scholars o Illinoissta will assist the Scholar to maintain ull status in the program and willexpect the Scholar’s ull cooperation by working to remove probation status.
Review/Exit ProcedureI, however, in the opinion o the Director a Scholar who has been placed onAcademy Probation has not satisactorily:
•earnedatleasta2.5(4.0scale)cumulativeGPA;or
•doesnotcompletetherequiredterms;or
•violatestheCodeofScholarConduct
Unless mitigating circumstances are discovered that indicate the Scholar should
continue in the program with prescriptions or extensions o the probation contract,the Scholar will be excused rom the program.
Scholars excused rom urther participation rom the program or Scholars whoail to complete the teaching assignment or do not enter teaching will be expectedto repay Golden Apple or unds orwarded in that Scholar’s name. An oer to resolvethe amount owed will be made by Golden Apple. I that oer is not accepted oracknowledged, Golden Apple will orward that amount to a collection agency or
repayment or which an additional ee will be assessed.
Appeal ProcessA Scholar who has been excused rom the program may request an appeal hearingpresided by the CEO o the Golden Apple Foundation. Others associated with theFoundation may participate in such a hearing. I a hearing is requested, the decisionmade on the basis o this hearing is nal.
Automatic expulsion rom the programI a Scholar is deemed academically ineligible to remain at any o the cooperatinguniversities, or i or any other reason a Scholar is expelled rom any o the cooperating universities, that action automatically results in the oreiture o all rights and privileges aorded that Scholar as a member o this program.
Option to Reapply to ProgramAny Scholar who has been removed rom the program due to academic dismissalrom one o the participating universities may apply or re-admittance tothe program upon submission o: a) a petition or re-admittance, b) evidencethat the Scholar has reentered a participating university, c) a grade report indicatingsatisactory progress toward graduation or one marking period, and d)evidence o a 2.5 (4.0 scale) cumulative GPA at the participating university.
Leave o AbsenceUnder certain circumstances, such as health or personal problems, a leave o absence rom the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program may be considered.The Scholars Program Director must be contacted immediately when a Scholaranticipates the need or a leave o absence. Written notice must then be given speciyingthe anticipated dates o the leave.
Entering TeachingThe success o the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois program is measured bythe entry o each Scholar into the teaching proession in a classroom at a school o need as designated by the Foundation ater earning a bachelor’s degree and gainingIllinois teacher certication. I it is absolutely necessary or a Scholar to extendcollege enrollment or a th year, an extension will be granted. No payments
o any kind will be issued by the Golden Apple Foundation beyond a
Scholar’s ourth year or eight semesters in college.
Scholars are responsible or securing their own teaching positions. The GoldenApple Foundation will use its extensive network to assist Scholars in ndingteaching assignments, although a Scholar cannot be guaranteed a teachingposition. In addition, the Foundation is committed to providing mentor supportand sta contact through the initial years o a Scholar’s career in teaching.
Scholar Teaching Obligation
Scholars have seven years ater earning a bachelor’s degree and initial teachercertication to ulll their ve-year obligation to teach in a classroom at a school o needas dened by the Foundation. For every year a Scholar teaches in a school so designated,20%ofallmoneyforwardedonaScholar’sbehalfbytheGoldenAppleFoundation
(not including Summer Institute stipends) is orgiven by the Foundation. I the Scholardoes not ulll this obligation, any unds let unorgiven will revert to the Scholar’s
responsibility or repayment to the Golden Apple Foundation. (See page 16 orspecic consequences.)
The Golden Apple Foundation does not count a Scholar’s work as a buildingadministrator, principal, assistant principal, counselor, social worker, dean or district
administrator as ullling part o the ve-year obligation. Additionally, teacher aidework, or work in a school that does not have ocial accreditation, or work in a schoolthat does not t the denition o a school o need established by Golden Appledoes not count or ullling the teaching obligation.
Partial years o service will be counted as ractions o the total obligation.
Pathway Scholars
The policies or Pathway Scholars are the same as previously stated except:
program at one o a number o universities throughout Illinois and then or their secondSI attend a ve-week residential program at a Chicago area university.
Liaisons are selected educators at our partner universities who agree to help the Scholarsat their campuses acclimate to collegiate lie and solve any problems Scholars may have.The other listed employees o the university are aware o the Scholars program and willoer assistance in admissions, nancial aid and teaching position placement.
Augustana College Charles Hyser, Liaison 309-794-7281
Kent Barnds, Admissions 309-794-7662Sue Standley, Financial Aid 309-794-7207
“I promise to try as well as I can to succeed in college;
to learn my subjects well; and to learn how to teach andinspire children. I promise to work towards becoming arole model others would be proud to emulate. I promisethese goals in the name o my amily, by whose exampleI arrived at this time and place in my lie. I promise thesegoals in the name o the children I’ve yet to meet and
those who were lost beore I was ready to help them.”
Scholar Code o ConductIt is essential that all Scholars hold a high ethical standard. Scholars represent great promise to the state,
the teaching proessions, and the Golden Apple Foundation. To protect the integrity o this program,
and indeed o the teaching proession, we require that certain academic, moral, and legal standards o conduct be maintained, both during the school year and while Summer Institute is in session.
Expectations o a Golden Apple ScholarScholars, as representatives o the Golden Apple Foundation, must exempliy excellence. Any conduct
that negatively aects the good order, welare, or name o the Golden Apple Academy, the Scholars, or
the Foundation is considered a serious breach o trust.
Expected Behaviors Unacceptable Behaviors
In addition to the contract I have signed, I agree to comply with the Scholar Code o Conduct, the rules
and regulations established in the Golden Apple Scholars o Illinois Policy Handbook, and the guidelines
o each Summer Institute that I attend.
Scholar Signature _________________________________________ Date _____________
Attitude I am always respectful of myself, my
teachers and others, I have a positiveattitude.
Behaves in a disrespectful manner, critical of the
work of others.
Focus on Class work I consistently stay focused on in-class workand what needs to be done. I am veryself-directed.
Does not focus on class work and what needsto be done.
Contributions I routinely provide useful ideas whenparticipating in classroom discussion. Iam a definite leader who contributes a lotof effort.
Rarely provides useful ideas when participatingin classroom discussion. May refuse to participate.
Working with Others I listen to, share with, and support theefforts of others.
Does not listen to, share with, or support theefforts of others. Often disrupts or discouragesothers’ attempts to participate.
Preparedness I bring needed materials to class and amalways ready to work.
Does not bring materials and/or is rarely ready to get to work.
Time Management I turn assignments in on time. Does not get work done by deadlines, may ask for extensions, or does not submit work despiteallotted time.
Quality of Work I provide work of the highest quality thatreflects my best efforts.
Provides work that reflects very little effort
Handbook I read and am fully aware of all rulesoutlined in the Scholar handbook.
Scholar does not follow rules as outlined in theScholar handbook.
Behavior I am actively and positively engaged inclass on a daily basis.
Scholar is not engaged, frequently sleeps and/or disrupts class.
Professionalism I model the professional attitudes,behavior, and dress expected for eachsituation and context.
Does not model the professional attitudes,behaviors, and dress expected for each situationand context.
Personal Dignity I respect the personal dignity of all otherScholars.
Makes unwelcome advances or takes any other action to create a hostile environment for any Scholar or person affiliated with the Program.
