Field Experience/Practicum
Program Description
The Practicum or Internship is the culminating experience for all students seeking certification as principal, supervisor director of curriculum, pupil services director, business manager or superintendent. A meaningful experience requires the involvement of a University supervisor and a mentoring administrator in a school or district setting. A meaningful experience is also based on the needs and goals of the student, as well the context of the specific school setting for the practicum/internship. More real experience provided under the guidance of the University supervisor and the school based mentor, improves the opportunity for the student to integrate theory and practice . Ideally the experience would be structured over an entire school year to gain an appreciation of the complexity and ever-changing role of the administrator. Responsibility for a successful practicum or internship rests primarily with the student supported by the supervisor and mentor.
As a culminating experience the internship/practicum reflects the mission and values of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. That is, the practicum/internship should be designed to promote instructional leadership focused on equity, inquiry and reflection. Novice administrators are not expected to be accomplished instructional leaders, but they should experience a wide variety of administrative responsibilities and activities designed to improve teaching and learning. Budget development, attending administrative meetings, scheduling, and student supervision are examples of administrative responsibility that are best understood in the context of supporting improved teaching and learning for all children. The concept of instructional leadership requires that the student inquire and reflect about administrative work as it affects the equitable use of resources to achieve learning for all.
A critical part of the practicum/internship is a review of the student’s portfolio conducted as part of a mock interview process. The student’s academic advisor or other University faculty will collaborate with accomplished practitioners and school superintendents to conduct “mock” interviews that review the students portfolio and provide feedback about portfolio exhibits and job readiness.
Finally, the practicum is legally required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. As such the practicum must be based on the Wisconsin Standards for Administrator Development and Licensure and meet the time requirements as prescribed by state law. Students must document 150 hours of supervised experience for the primary administrative license and 75 hours for other administrative licenses. The standards for school administrators and other administrative licenses are listed below.
Department of Public Instruction Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34.15 (Quality Educator Initiative)
(3) (b).
c) Practicum program. 1. Programs for pupil services and administrative licenses shall include supervised practicums in the area of licensure that are developmental in scope and sequence.
2. As a result of the practicum experience a license candidate shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Wisconsin standards in PI 34.02, PI 34.03 or PI 34.04.
3. Successful performance shall be measured using all of the following:
a. At least 2 written evaluations based upon observations by the school-based supervisor and at least 2 written evaluations by the SCD supervisor shall be required during each student’s practicum.
b. The evaluation procedures under subpar. a. shall include at least 2 conferences involving the school-based supervisor, the SCD supervisor and the practicum student. The school-based supervisor evaluation of the practicum shall become part of the student’s portfolio.
(d) Graduate internship program. 1. Advanced programs shall include a graduate internship in the area of licensure that is developmental in scope and sequence.
2. As a result of the intern experience, a license candidate shall demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Wisconsin standards under s. PI 34.02,
34.03 or 34.04, as appropriate.
3. Supervision and primary responsibility for the student shall rest directly with the licensed local school district supervisor and indirectly with the college or
university supervisor.
Policies and Practices
Registration for Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis 700/900
Permission to register is required and is granted by the practicum coordinator or student services coordinator 608-263-2701. Students should register only once for all Master’s level licenses, i.e. if seeking a principal license and a director of instruction license, only enroll in 700/900 one time not each time you are completing the requirements for a license.
Hours
One hundred fifty (150) hours of supervised experience is required for one license and 75 hours for each subsequent license as the minimum standard.
The student is required to submit a "Memorandum of Understanding" that documents the completion of the legal requirements regarding the practicum.
MOU for Primary Certification
MOU for Secondary Certification
Appendix A TO MOU
Appendix B Reflective Logs
Example of Principalship Practicum Components
Example of Superintendent Log
Example of Director of Special Education and Pupil Services Log