Transitional License & Mentoring Handbook College of Education2011-2012

Dear Candidate,Congratulations on your new role as a transitionally licensed educator. In the Fall of 2009, the State Board of Education adopted a new foundation for the alternative licensure route, transitional licensure. The transitional license is maintained through a partnership between the licensure candidate, a Local Education Authority (LEA) and a local university. Lipscombʼs College of Education is pleased to work with you. As a part of this partnership, the State Board of Education encourages local universities “to include components that exceed the adopted standards.” The enhanced requirements set forth by Lipscomb University are outlined in the following pages of this handbook.

Please use this handbook as a reference for the 2011-2012 academic year. Best wishes for a successful classroom experience.

Sincerely,

Dr. Candice McQueen" Dr. Deborah Boyd" Dr. Joshua DavisDean " Associate Dean " Co-director of M.Ed. Studies and

Director of Transitional Teaching

The transitional licenseWhile a candidate on the transitional license serves as the teacher of record (TOR) in the classroom, the transitional license is not a full license. There are several important things to remember about your time on the transitional license.

• The license is issued for one school year at a time and always expires on August 31 following the academic school year for which it is issued.

• The transitional license is renewable only two (2) times “upon satisfactory progress toward completion of the approved transitional licensure preparation program.”

• A candidate may not exceed three (3) years on any alternative license including the transitional license.

• The orientation component and mentoring must continue across the full period of transitional licensure.

• Mentors shall meet regularly with each transitionally licensed teacher. Support from mentors and professional development activities must total one hundred (100) hours during the first year and fifty (50) hours during the second and third years.

• The local school shall assess the effectiveness of a transitionally licensed teacher using the same evaluation procedures used in evaluating all teachers of record.

• The university shall assess the effectiveness of a transitionally licensed teacher using teaching assessments, the Notice of Concern Process (as needed), and portfolio.

• In addition to the Professional Education Core Competencies, candidates may be required to address any skill deficiencies for the teaching content area.

• Candidates must successfully complete a minimum of ten months as a full time teacher of record (TOR) to fulfill transitional licensure requirements. Candidates who are not able to meet this requirement within two (2) renewals must complete the teaching experience through nine (9) credit hours of student teaching.

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Advancement to an apprentice license can take between 1 and 3 years. The following chart outlines eligibility requirements for each step.Licensure Status PRAXIS Requirements Coursework Requirements Mentoring/LEA Requirements

Intent to Hire• Pass subject specific

Content Knowledge test*

•Undergraduate Major or 24 hours in subject at 2.75 or better.**

•Accepted to program •Candidates who fail to register for 2 credits EG 513V each semester could be subject to administrative enrollment after 3 weeks.

Renewal #1 •Pass all subject tests***

in addition to above requirements•Completed 6 hours of M.Ed.

coursework

in addition to above requirements•Completed 100 hours of mentoring (50 LU

& 50 LEA)•Received positive summative evaluation

using the TEAM framework•Candidates who fail to register for 1 credit

EG 513V each semester could be subject to administrative enrollment after 3 weeks.

Renewal #2•Pass appropriate

Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Test

in addition to above requirements•Completed program of study with a

GPA of 3.0 or above.

in addition to above requirements•Completed additional 50 hours of

mentoring (25 LU & 25 LEA)•Received positive summative evaluations

using the TEAM framework•Candidates who fail to register for 1 credit

EG 513V each semester could be subject to administrative enrollment after 3 weeks.

Advancement****

(to apprentice license)

• Pass appropriate PLT & all Subject PRAXIS Tests

•Completed all coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or better

•Submitted acceptable portfolio in LiveText

• (K-12 endorsement only) Completed & documented 30 hour practicum w/ observation

•Completed all required mentoring hours (minimum 100 hours)

•Received positive summative evaluations using the TEAM framework (minimum 1 evaluation cycle per academic year)

•Successfully completed 10 months of experience on transitional license

Transitional Licensure Eligibility

*PRAXIS 014 or 5014: Elementary Content Knowledge OR PRAXIS 146: Middle School Content Knowledge may be substituted for candidates seeking licensure endorsement in English as a Second Language (490) OR Special Education Modified (460) for initial hire only.**Six (6) hours in a foreign language with a GPA of 2.75 or better may be substituted for candidates seeking endorsement in English as a Second Language (490).*** Candidates seeking licensure endorsement in Special Education Modified (460) must pass PRAXIS 201: Reading Across the Curriculum. Additional Special Education Modified Subject Test(s) must be passed before the final day of Special Education coursework. Candidates seeking licensure endorsement in English as a Second Language (490) or Mathematics 7-12 (413) must complete PRAXIS subject tests before the last day of endorsement area coursework. ****Advancement can occur at any time after July 1 upon completion of all advancement requirements.

OR

Initial hirePrior to first renewalDuring the first year, transitionally licensed candidates will be expected to meet the following requirements:Before entering the classroom, candidates should register for a minimum of six (6) credits of M.Ed. coursework as outlined in the program of study. This coursework satisfies the orientation component required by the state of Tennessee. Candidates should also register for two (2) credit hours of ED 513V each semester to initiate required participation in the mentoring program. The mentoring program is a c o m b i n a t i o n o f p r o f e s s i o n a l development seminars, electronically-mediated learning, and direct contact w i th a un ivers i ty mentor. Once registered, candidates are assigned a university mentor. While teaching on transitional license, candidates will be expected to meet several requirements for both the school of employment and Lipscomb University. Candidates will be held to the same standard as ful ly l icensed teachers. TORs will be assessed each year using the state Tennessee Educator Acceleration Model (TEAM). All transitional licensure candidates

must submit a copy of this assessment to the university mentor to be included in the licensure paperwork. Failure to show proficiency in the area of certification and/or professional skill could result in withdrawal of university support and loss of transitional licensure.MentoringThe university mentor is a valuable asset to new teachers serving on a transitional license. Each semester, transitionally licensed teachers will register for two (2) credit hours of ED 513V: Transitional License Mentoring. During mentoring, candidates must document a minimum of one hundred(100) hours of mentoring for the first year of employment. The university mentor and LEA will each provide fifty ( 5 0 ) h o u r s o f m e n t o r i n g a n d professional development. Candidates must use the university-provided logs to track support provided by the university mentor as well as the LEA (page 11). Logs must be submitted to the mentor by April 30.CourseworkCandidates must successfully complete a minimum of six (6) credits of M.Ed. coursework with a GPA of 3.0 or better. Candidates should follow the planned program of study as outlined at the start of the program. Any change to the

program of study must be approved in advance by the program advisor. PRAXIS II TestingIn addition to any requirements for admission, candidates must pass all required content area tests before the end of the first academic year. Required PRAXIS II tests can be found online at the ETS PRAXIS website: http://www.ets.org/praxis/tn/requirements. C a n d i d a t e s s e e k i n g l i c e n s u r e endorsement in Special Education Modified (460) must instead pass PRAXIS II 201: Reading Across the Curriculum.* (See exceptions on page 4 for clarification.)Advancement OR RenewalCandidates who have successfully completed ten (10) months of teaching experience on the transitional license may be eligible to advance to the apprentice license. Candidates who are not eligible to advance must renew the transitional license when rehired.To advance, candidates must pass ALL required PRAXIS II tests, submit an acceptable portfolio in LiveText, submit evidence of practicum experience if applicable (page 11), and complete the approved program of study. Candidates who meet all of these requirements should submit required licensure

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*All candidates (including those seeking certification in English as a Second Language, Special Education or Math) who will advance after the first year of transitional teaching must pass ALL endorsement area content knowledge tests.

paperwork (including coversheet) to the university mentor before April 30. Candidates are not eligible to advance before July 1.Candidates who expect to renew the transitional license must submit the following documents to the university mentor before April 30: Completed coversheet (page 11), LU Mentor Log, LEA Professional Development Log, Summative Evaluation (TEAM).

WARNING Failure to do any of

the following could result in Lipscomb University’s inability to continue supporting the student or recommending continuation under the transitional license.• Student must submit his or her

mentoring log which reflects a total of 100 hours for the first year to Lipscomb University by April 30.

• Student must take and pass all required Praxis exams.

• Student must satisfactorily complete the orientation component of the Planned Program of Study (6 credit hours of M.Ed. coursework).

• Student must submit a positive summative evaluation.

• Student must fulfill any Plan of Action resulting from a Notice of Concern.

First RenewalAcademic year twoIn addition to the requirements for year one, transitionally licensed candidates will be expected to meet the following requirements:Before entering the classroom, candidates should register for one (1) credit hour of EG 513V each semester to initiate required participation in the mentoring program. Candidates who fail to register for one (1) credit of EG 513V each semester could be subject to administrative enrollment after 3 weeks. Once registered, candidates are assigned a university mentor. While teaching on transitional license, candidates will be expected to meet several requirements for both the school of employment and Lipscomb University. Candidates will be held to the same standard as ful ly l icensed teachers. TORs will be assessed at the end of each year using the TEAM framework. All transitional licensure candidates must submit a copy of this assessment to the university mentor to be included in the licensure paperwork. Failure to show proficiency in the area of certification and/or professional skill could result in withdrawal of university support and loss of t ransi t ional licensure.

MentoringEach semester transitionally licensed teachers will register for one (1) credit hour of EG 513V: Transitional License Mentoring. During this renewal period, candidates must document a minimum of fifty (50) hours of mentoring. The university mentor and LEA will each provide twenty-five (25) hours of m e n t o r i n g a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l development. Candidates must use the university-provided logs to track support provided by the university mentor as well as the LEA (page 11). Logs must be submitted to the mentor by April 30.CourseworkCandidates shou ld successfu l ly complete the program of study with a GPA of 3.0 or better.PRAXIS II TestingCandidates must pass the appropriate PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Test. It is recommended that candidates take the version which most closely matches the grade span of their endorsement areas. Any remaining content area test(s) must be passed prior to the second renewal (including those candidates seeking certification in English as a Second Language or Special Education).Advancement OR RenewalCandidates who have successfully completed ten (10) months of teaching experience on the transitional license

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and the requirements outlined above may be eligible to advance to the apprentice license. Candidates who are not eligible to advance must renew the transitional license when rehired.To advance, candidates must submit an acceptable portfolio in LiveText and s u b m i t e v i d e n c e o f p r a c t i c u m experience if applicable (page 11). Candidates who meet all of these requirements should submit required l i censu re pape rwork ( i nc lud ing coversheet) to the university mentor before April 30. Candidates are not eligible to advance before July 1.Candidates who expect to renew the transitional license must submit the following documents to the university mentor before April 30: Completed coversheet (page 11), LU Mentor Log, LEA Professional Development Log, Summative Evaluation (TEAM).

Second RenewalAcademic year threeIn addition to the requirement for years one and two, transitionally licensed

WARNING Failure to do any of the

following could result in Lipscomb University’s inability to continue supporting the student or recommending continuation under the transitional license. • Student must submit his or her

mentoring log which reflects a total of 50 hours for the second year to Lipscomb University by April 30.

• Student takes and passes Praxis II Principles of Teaching and Learning (PLT) exam appropriate to the license area by the end of the second year (prior to the second renewal).

• Student satisfactorily completes 6 additional credit hours on Planned Program of Study. Ideally, student will complete all requirements on the Planned Program of Study this year.

• Student submits positive summative evaluation.

• Student must fulfill any Plan of Action resulting from a Notice of Concern.

candidates will be expected to meet the following requirements:

Before entering the classroom, candidates should register for one (1) credit hour of EG 513V to initiate required participation in the mentoring program. Once registered, candidates are assigned a university mentor. While teaching on the transitional license, candidates will be expected to meet several requirements for both the school of employment and Lipscomb University. Candidates will be held to the same standard as fully licensed teachers. TORs will be assessed at the end of each year using the TEAM framework. All transitional licensure candidates must submit a copy of this assessment to the university mentor to be included in the licensure paperwork. Failure to show proficiency in the area of certification and/or professional skill could result in withdrawal of university support and loss of transitional licensure.

MentoringEach semester, transitionally licensed teachers will register for one (1) credit hour of EG 513V: Transitional License Mentoring. During this renewal period, candidates must document a minimum of fifty (50) hours of mentoring. The

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university mentor and LEA will each provide twenty-five (25) hours of m e n t o r i n g a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l development. Candidates must use the university-provided logs to track support provided by the university mentor as well as the LEA (page 11). Logs must be submitted to the mentor by April 30.

CourseworkCandidates shou ld successfu l ly complete any remaining requirements as outlined by the program of study with a GPA of 3.0 or better and submit an acceptable portfolio in LiveText.

AdvancementCandidates who have successfully completed ten (10) months of teaching experience on the transitional license and the requirements outlined above may be eligible to advance to the apprentice license. If a candidate does not meet the requirements to advance, he or she must complete a student teaching experience. Candidates seeking licensure in an endorsement including grades K-12 must submit evidence of practicum experience (page 11). All licensure paperwork (including coversheet) must be submitted to the university mentor before April 30. Candidates are not eligible to advance before July 1.

8Mentoring: 100 hours2 credits per semesterPositive summativePass content praxis6 hours courseworkAdvancement: Pass all Praxis, complete Program of Study, 30hr practicum (K-12 only)year

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Mentoring: 50 hours1 credit per semesterPositive summativePass PLTAdvancement: Pass all Praxis, complete Program of Study, 30hr practicum (K-12 only)ye

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Mentoring: 50 hours1 credit per semesterPositive summative30hr practicum (K-12 only)Complete Program of Studyye

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MentoringThe university mentor will guide and support teacher candidates through the first year(s) as a teacher of record. The mentor will offer support that matches the needs of the mentee throughout the program (Examples: understanding unwritten policies and procedures, understanding how to present professionally, locating resources and materials, designing instructional strategies, emotional support, classroom management suggestions, efficient scheduling and planning, relationships with parents, relationships with students, relationships with colleagues, conducting meetings efficiently, etc.). In addition, the mentor will guide the mentee in analyzing and reflecting on his or her teaching and its impact on students. As the mentee grows and advances in his or her role, the mentor-mentee relationship will evolve to one of equal professional colleagues. Students working on the transitional license will have an opportunity to evaluate the services provided by their mentor in order to assist us with program improvements.

ROLE OF THE MENTOR• The role of the mentor is very similar to that of the

cooperating teacher for a student teacher. The mentor is the guide who helps candidate grow in his/her field of study and helps him/her to avoid harmful pitfalls.

• The mentorʼs responsibilities should be heaviest during the first semester and gradually taper off during the remainder of the year.

• The mentor will often be the first source of information for the student.

• The mentor is the studentʼs link to the university during the work week. If the mentor notices the student struggling, he/she should communicate this information to the university so additional support can be built into the instructional modules on campus.

• The mentor conducts on-site, informal teaching assessments that are not punitive and are not part of the employment record, but are instructive in nature. These assessments (two or more per year) give the mentor identifiable areas for working with the student to enhance the student’s professional skills. Significant areas that need improvement will be addressed through the Notice of Concern process (a formal meeting and Plan of Action).

• It is not always possible to pair a mentor with a student so that the mentorʼs experience is the same as the subject area in which the student is working. If the student is teaching in a subject area which the mentor has not taught, the mentor is not expected to be a source for subject-specific questions. The student will be able to bring these questions to his or her classes on campus where additional assistance is available. The mentorʼs responsibilities are more general and are designed to help the student develop the knowledge and skills that are important for any teacher, no matter what subject that individual teaches.

• The mentor maintains documentation of all mentor-mentee activities/contacts.

• The mentor will participate in an orientation provided during the summer and other training sessions required by the university.

ROLE OF THE MENTEE• The mentee must be registered for the mentoring program to

receive support.• The mentee is to meet the transitional licensure

requirements outlined in this handbook.• Although courtesy reminders are periodically forwarded, the

transitionally licensed teacher is ultimately the responsible party for keeping up with program requirements, due dates, required PRAXIS II exams and meeting required deadlines.

• The mentee is to engage actively in the mentoring process.

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• The mentee is to keep a log of mentor activities and school-based professional development in order to meet the required number of mentoring hours.

• The mentee is to communicate with the mentor and/or university any areas in professional development where further enhancement is needed.

• The mentee is to respond to emails from any university representative in a timely and polite manner.

• The mentee is to show up to appointments with any university representative and to be on time.

• If necessary, the mentee is to cancel meetings with the mentor or other university employees in advance when possible.

• The mentee is to conduct him/herself professionally and ethically at all times.

• The mentee is to dress professionally.• The mentee will participate in orientation provided during the

summer. • If the mentee is hired on transitional license after the

summer orientation, he/she will be provided additional training through on-line training modules or through a series of selected readings and written responses available on Lipscomb Universityʼs Blackboard. Completion of modules or responses to readings shall be submitted to the transitional licensure coordinator within 30 days of the assignment.

• The mentee will utilize his/her Lipscomb email account for all communications regarding the university and transitional license.

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Program ToolsC.A.R.E. Conceptual Framework (click to download)Lipscomb Universityʼs Teacher Education Program is committed to preparing students to be caring and competent teachers based upon the C.A.R.E. Conceptual Framework.

PRAXIS II (http://www.ets.org/praxis/tn)To be certified to teach in most U.S. states, one must pass a PRAXIS II test or a series of PRAXIS II tests administered by the Educational Testing Service. Each education major has its own requirements with regard to the test(s) to be taken. Although frequent updates and reminders will be provided by the university, it is the studentʼs responsibility to be knowledgeable of the required tests and to take them in a timely manner.

Checklist Coversheet (click to download)A checklist has been designed for use by mentors or mentees as they work to ensure that all requirements for advancement from the Transitional License to the Apprentice License have been met. This checklist should be attached as the coversheet for all licensure paperwork submission to the university.

Mentoring and Professional Development Log (click to download)Students working on the transitional license will use the Mentoring and Professional Development Log to keep up with their hours of mentoring. Mentoring provided by Lipscomb University and mentoring or professional development provided by their school shall be kept on separate logs. When mentoring is recorded on the log, it should be rounded to the appropriate quarter hour, using fifteen (15) minute increments.

Practicum Log (click to download)This practicum log applies only to those who are seeking a K-12 endorsement. Any student seeking a K-12 endorsement must demonstrate experience with students in both the elementary and the secondary level.

• A transitionally licensed teacher with current K-12 endorsement has no additional practicum or student teaching requirements. • A transitionally licensed teacher with only elementary experience (K-6) or an elementary endorsement must complete thirty (30)

clock hours of practicum experience at the secondary level (7-12). • A transitionally licensed teacher with only secondary experience (7-12) or a secondary endorsement must complete thirty (30)

clock hours of practicum experience at the elementary (K-6) level.

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Portfolio (click to download)All students in the College of Education complete a Professional Portfolio using LiveText. Submissions of key assignments into the portfolio are directed through formal coursework.

Teaching Assessment Tool and Rubric (click to download)At least one evaluation per semester is to be completed using the Teaching Assessment Tool. The evaluation is used to help the mentor support the growth of the transitionally licensed teacher. The evaluation is not punitive and is not part of an employment file.

Notice of ConcernIf a candidate fails to demonstrate growth and to follow suggestions for improvement as made by support personnel, a Notice of Concern may be filed. The Notice of Concern documents the specific resources, supports, steps, etc. that will be used in strengthening the designated area(s) and outlines the results for failure to show the required level of improvement. A copy of the Notice of Concern will be forwarded to the appropriate director.

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Dr. Joshua DavisDirector of Transitional Teachingjoshua.davis@lipscomb.edu

Mary Catherine SevierTransitional Licensure Coordinatormcsevier@lipscomb.edu

http://graduateeducation.lipscomb.edu

This Transitional Licensure Policy Handbook shall be in effect from July 1, 2011 to July 1, 2012.