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Northwest Missouri State University


Graduate Study Portfolio Requirement

All students seeking a Master's in Educational Leadership or Specialist in Education degree, and those seeking certification for the principalship are required to compile, submit, and defend a professional portfolio. The portfolio should be designed to convey a clear picture of the student's professional philosophy, motivations and capabilities. Syllabi from various courses will indicate possible items to be included but must be utilized in the building/district setting.

The Educational Leadership portfolio is based on the Interstate School Leader Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) Standards. The portfolio should provide evidence that the candidate has demonstrated competency based on these standards. The portfolio should include:

Current Resume (1-2 pages)
Professional Development Plan

Candidates who complete an advanced program in Educational Leadership should provide evidence based on the ISLLC Standards that they possess professional knowledge, skills and dispositions(performance).

The portfolio should also include a minimum of two artifacts and reflections based on the indicators of each standard that demonstrate as an aspiring leader they can provide and promote:

Standard 1: The Vision of Learning
Standard 2: The Culture of Teaching and Learning
Standard 3: The Management of Learning
Standard 4: Relationships with the Broader Community that Foster Learning
Standard 5: Integrity, Fairness and Ethics in Learning
Standard 6: The Political, Social, Economic, Legal and Cultural Context of Learning

The portfolio should be compiled and referenced in a format consistent with the sections listed above. Evidence must include throughout the portfolio the ability to effectively use technology, assessment data, and experiences in working with diverse populations. The student should maintain this portfolio in a three-ring binder over the course of their program of study. Artifacts chosen to be placed in the portfolio should reflect the activities of a school leader (principal/superintendent) not a classroom teacher. These artifacts MUST be used in a (building/district) school setting. Activities/artifacts developed for coursework will not be counted as evidence unless they are actually used in a school leadership setting. The portfolio submission and its defense will be scheduled at a time designated by the Department of Educational leadership each trimester. Portfolio assessment and defense is the comprehensive examination.

Suggested Portfolio Format

Resume

Professional Development Plan -- based upon sample from Foundation of Educational Administration or from your own school

Optional
Leadership style survey with reflection upon your results
Administrative Platform or Philosophy of Education

ISLLC Standards 1-6

A tab or designated section for each standard.
Behind each standard place 1-2 pages that state:
The standard itself
The reason why the artifact you chose fits the criteria of this standard
Followed by three paragraphs of refection