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Academic Assessment Program

GSMLA

University of Central Arkansas

Mission

The Master of Science in School Leadership, Management, and Administration is designed to prepare prospective elementary, middle, and secondary principals to become visionary leaders of school reform and leaders of change for improvement of public education in Arkansas and the region. The UCA MS in SLMA program has been designed based on transformationally oriented leadership attitudes and behaviors needed for today's complex organizations and diverse society.

Goals

The Graduate School of Management, Leadership, and Administration will:

• Provide a program in educational leadership, management, and administration that will prepare school administrators who are focused on candidates' needs and the improvement of educational delivery.
• Provide a program in educational leadership, management, and administration that will prepare administrators who are moral agents and social advocates for the children and communities they serve.
• Graduate candidates who are involved in scholarly activities such as research, reflective and creative thinking, and implementation of best practices in education to better meet the needs of the larger community.
• Provide a program in educational leadership, management, and administration that will not only use technology as a delivery system, but will also prepare the school administrator to use technology to enhance their effectiveness in the field.

All candidates will be required to pass the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (SLLA). The passing score will be the cut-off score determined by the state of Arkansas. The current cut-off score for Arkansas is a total score of 155.

1a. At least 95% of candidates completing the program will earn a passing subscore for ISLLC Standard 1 as reported on the SLLA.

1b. Candidates will submit materials for a portfolio to be maintained by the candidate's graduate advisor. The portfolio will contain materials reflecting the candidate's development as an educational leader and will be analyzed for completeness at the end of each semester completed in the program.

1c. All candidates graduating from the program will pass an end-of-block exam consisting of a written and an oral assessment by the lead faculty members.

2. Candidates completing the MS program in SLMA will be able to articulate and exhibit the knowledge needed to make sound ethical and moral decisions and to be a role model for others. (ISLLC Standard 5)

2a. At least 95% of candidates completing the program will earn a passing subscore for ISLLC Standard 5 as reported on the SLLA.

2b. Candidates will submit a portfolio to be maintained by the candidate's graduate advisor. The portfolio will contain materials reflecting the candidate's development as an educational leader and will be analyzed for completeness at the end of each semester completed in the program.

2c. All candidates graduating from the program will pass an end-of-block exam consisting of a written and an oral assessment by the lead faculty members.

3. Candidates completing the MS program in SLMA will demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of best practice instructional strategies and how they are implemented in the classroom setting. (ISLLC Standard 2)

3a. At least 95% of candidates completing the program will earn a passing subscore for ISLLC Standard 2 as reported on the SLLA.

3b. Candidates will submit a portfolio to be maintained by the candidate's graduate advisor. The portfolio will contain materials reflecting the candidate's development as an educational leader and will be analyzed for completeness at the end of each semester completed in the program.

3c. All candidates graduating from the program will pass an end-of-block exam consisting of a written and an oral assessment by the lead faculty members.

4. Candidates completing the MS program in SLMA will be able to demonstrate the knowledge needed to focus a campus's financial resources, physical plant capacities, and professional personnel on improved candidate performance. (ISLLC Standard 3)

4a. At least 95% of candidates completing the program will earn a passing subscore for ISLLC Standard 3 as reported on the SLLA.

4b. Candidates will submit a portfolio to be maintained by the candidate's graduate advisor. The portfolio will contain materials reflecting the candidate's development as an educational leader and will be analyzed for completeness at the end of each semester completed in the program.

4c. All candidates graduating from the program will pass an end-of-block exam consisting of a written and an oral assessment by the lead faculty members.

5. Candidates completing the MS program in SLMA will exhibit the competency to mobilize a diverse community of partners toward a collaboration model that is focused on candidates and their success. (ISLLC Standard 6)

5a. At least 95% of candidates completing the program will earn a passing subscore for ISLLC Standard 6 as reported on the SLLA.

5b. Candidates will submit a portfolio to be maintained by the candidate's graduate advisor. The portfolio will contain materials reflecting the candidate's development as an educational leader and will be analyzed for completeness at the end of each semester completed in the program.

5c. All candidates graduating from the program will pass an end-of-block exam consisting of a written and an oral assessment by the lead faculty members.

6. Candidates completing the MS program in SLMA will demonstrate the knowledge needed to analyze philosophical and cultural issues that will influence the ultimate success of their global community of learners. (ISLLC Standard 4)

6a. At least 95% of candidates completing the program will earn a passing subscore for ISLLC Standard 4 as reported on the SLLA.

6b. Candidates will submit a portfolio to be maintained by the candidate's graduate advisor. The portfolio will contain materials reflecting the candidate's development as an educational leader and will be analyzed for completeness at the end of each semester completed in the program.

6c. All candidates graduating from the program will pass an end-of-block exam consisting of a written and an oral assessment by the lead faculty members.

7. Candidates completing the MS program in SLMA will synthesize their knowledge bases with practical hands on experiences that will hone their leadership abilities and enhance their job search at the completion of the program.

7a. Candidates will submit a portfolio to be maintained by the candidate's graduate advisor. The portfolio will contain materials reflecting the candidate's development as an educational leader and will be analyzed for completeness at the end of each semester completed in the program.

7b. All candidates graduating from the program will pass an end-of-block exam consisting of a written and an oral assessment by the lead faculty members.

7c. At least 95% of the candidates completing the program will secure employment as a school administrator in one year or less after graduation.