NJ-EXCEL (Expedited Certificationfor Educational Leaders)

A Non-traditionalSchool Leader Certification Program

Foundation For Educational Administration (FEA) 609-860-1200

Frank Palatucci, Director of School Leadership Programs fpalatucci@njpsa.org

Dr. Jeffrey Graber, Associate Director of School Leadership Programs jgraber@njpsa.org

Dr. Adele Macula, Director of Curriculum & Instruction amacula@njpsa.org

(New Jersey SLP Grant Districts – Bridgeton, Millville, Trenton)

Organizational Background

Offered since 2003 by the Foundation for EducationalAdministration (FEA); the non-profit affilliate of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA)

NJPSA is the professional organization thatrepresents more than 8,000 school administratorsand supervisors across New Jersey.

Admissions and Application ProcessAdmissions Criteria

All applicants are endorsed by their respectivedistricts prior to interviews.

Applicant credentials, interviews (all candidates are interviewed), portfolio/work samples, and writingsamples are assessed using an Applicant SelectionRubric designed to ensure:

Consistency and fairness in the admissions process

Selection of applicants who demonstrate thepotential to successfully complete the NJ-EXCEL Program requirements and become effective schoolleaders.

NJ-EXCEL Certifications

NJ Supervisor Certificate

NJ Director for School Counseling Services Certificate

(For counselors with at least three-years of counseling experience)

NJ Certificate of Eligibility for Principal

NJ-EXCEL Models MODEL 1 (12 mos.): Candidates who have 5 years of

supervisory experience under a standard supervisor certificate. (250 minimum instructional hours required + internships/projects/tech)

MODEL 2 (12/15 mos.): Candidates who have supervisory certification, but less than 5 years of supervisory experience under a standard supervisor certificate. (275 minimum instructional hours required + internships/projects/tech)

MODEL 3 (18 mos.): Teachers and educational specialists with at least 4 years of full-time teaching experience (350 minimum instructional hours required + internships/projects/tech)

Aligned with:State and national standards for school leaders:

- NJ Professional Standards for School Leaders-2008 (ISLLC) Interstate School Leaders Licensure

Consortium Standards (Phasing Out)- 2015 Professional Standards for Educational Leaders-Technology Standards for School Administrators (TSSA)

Focused on four interrelated areas of school leadership development and performance:

Organizational LeadershipCommunity LeadershipInstructional LeadershipStrategic Management

NJ-EXCEL: Standards-based Curriculum

NJ-EXCEL: Program Design

Professional Learning Community

Collaboration, Networking, and Support

Cohort Model

Inquiry Groups

Multiple Mentors

Field-Based Experiences

Project Based Learning

Instructional Support System

NJ-EXCEL: Program Schedule Generally one evening per week (5:30-8:30 PM)

Average one/tw0 Saturday sessions per month

(9:30 AM-3:00 PM)

Summer School Law Institute July or August

All sessions held at NJPSA/FEA in Monroe

Two full-day sessions (9:00 AM to 3:30 PM)

Meets NJ mandate on school law training for administrators

NJ-EXCEL:Field Based Experiences School-Based Internship & Project

Principal Mentor (All Models)

On-site internship (All Models)

School-Based Project (All Models)

Supervisory Internship and Project Supervisor Mentor(s) (Models 2 & 3)

On-site internship (Model 3 Only)

Supervisory project (Models 2 & 3)

Other Field Experiences/Projects Action Research Project (All Models)

Job-Embedded Project (All Models)

Field Experience Mtgs. (24 hrs. Model 1 & 2; 33 hrs. Model 3)

NJ-EXCEL: Commitment to Enhancing Technology Proficiency

Technology Self-Assessment

Individualized Technology Plans

Membership in Online Learning Community

Technology Support

Independent/Customized Technology Projects

Creating Leadership Electronic Portfolios

Minimum of 21 Hours of Tech Training/Projects

NJ-EXCEL: Performance-Based Assessment System

No traditional tests

(All candidates [Models 1, 2 and 3] must take and pass the SLLA for

principal certification eligibility.

Performance based assessments are aligned with State standards for school leaders.

Multiple performance based assessments by multiple

assessors

Upon Completion of NJ-EXCEL… Candidates are eligible to receive 34-47 graduate credits

(depending on program model) through Thomas Edison State University upon successful completion of EXCEL.

NOVA Southeastern University will grant 9 graduate credits from NJ-EXCEL to apply to their doctoral studies program.

Rutgers University will grant 6 graduate credits from NJ-EXCEL to apply to doctoral studies in educational leadership.

FEA processes all applications for certification to the NJDOE (approximate 3 week turn-around time).

Candidates are well prepared for the State-required 2-year Residency for Standard Principal Certification when appointed to school leader positions through FEA’s State approved NJ-Leaders to Leaders Program (NJ L2L) .

NJ-EXCEL REDUCED TUITION and FEES with USDOE Scholarship Grants

Model #1 $8,250.00 (Tuition & Stipends)

$2,066.00 out of pocket with $6,184.00 scholarship*Plus $100.00 Book Fees (Approximate Cost) *Plus $150.00 ASCD Membership (Approximate)

Model #2 $9,250.00 (Tuition & Stipends)$2,310.00 out of pocket with $6,940.00 scholarship*Plus $100.00 Book Fees (Approximate Cost)*Plus $150.00 ASCD Membership (Approximate)

Model #3 $11,900.00 (Tuition & Stipends)$2,975.00 out of pocket with $8,925.00 scholarship*Plus $100.00 Book Fees (Approximate Cost)*Plus $150.00 ASCD Membership (Approximate)

NOTE: Candidate reimbursement will depend upon individual districts policies & procedures.

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Ed Canzanese: ecanzanese@njpsa.org

Dr. Dora P. Kontogiannis: dkontogiannis@njpsa.org

Two Year Residency Year One Resident Requirements(Candidates New to Administration)

• 18 hours - Professional Development provided by FEA CURRENTLY: LEADERSHIP ACADEMY—3 sessions within one cohort

• 13 hours - Professional Collaboration (GROUP MEETINGS)

10 hours of Professional Collaboration

3 hours of Professional Collaboration following Leadership Academy Workshops

• 15 hours - One-on-one Mentor Support Hours Includes one hour meeting with Mentor, Immediate Supervisor and Resident

46 total hours15

Two Year Residency Year Two Resident Requirements(Candidates New to Administration

• 6 hours – Professional Development provided by FEA.PD opportunities are chosen in collaboration with immediate supervisor, mentor and resident

• 19 hours – One-on-one Mentor Support Includes one hour meeting with Mentor, Immediate Supervisor and Resident

• 10 Hours – Professional Collaboration (formerly Peer Support time)

• Action Research/School Initiative Project – focus on improving student achievement, School Climate and Culture, or improving teacher practice Presented during Professional Collaboration Meetings and posted on Professional Database of Expertise

35 total hours16

One Year Residency Previous Experience in Supervisory Capacity or

Administrative Experience from Another State

• 6 hours – Professional Development provided by FEA.PD opportunities are chosen in collaboration with immediate supervisor, mentor and resident

• 19 hours – One-on-one Mentor Support Includes one hour meeting with Mentor, Immediate Supervisor and Resident

• 10 Hours – Professional Collaboration (formerly Peer Support time)

• Action Research/School Initiative Project – focus on improving student achievement, School Climate and Culture, or improving teacher practice Presented during Professional Collaboration Meetings and posted on Professional Database of Expertise

35 total hours

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Critical Friends Network

• To meet 2-3 times during resident’s 24 months

• Two fellow residents chosen from Peer support/Professional Collaboration Group

• Designed to allow residents the opportunity to provide critical feedback to each other

• Residents schedule these meetings and inform mentor

• Reflection by all involved is required and included in Leadership Portfolio

Mentor Requirements [54 mentoring hours]

Year One

15 Hours—One-on-one mentoring with one hour reserved to meet with immediate supervisor and resident

10 hours—Professional Collaboration time within cohort

25 - Total Mentoring Hours

Year Two or One Year Residency

19 hours—One-on-one mentoring with one hour reserved to meet with immediate supervisor and resident

10 hours—Professional Collaboration time within cohort

29 - Total Mentoring Hours

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Administration of L2L Program

Resident must be Registered for L2L by their districts with the NJDOE and FEA immediately following appointment to a position

A mentor is assigned by L2L

Mentor/Resident meeting held within 2 weeks

Mentor & Resident attend Program Orientation

Leadership Academy Cohort is assigned

Leadership Portfolio

Formative Assessments are due at 5, 10, 15, and 20 months (all 10 PSEL standards assessed)

L2L is a 24 month Residency Program

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Program Costs

• $800 Registration Fee* – Paid to FEA. Must be paid to receive Provisional Certificate

• $1500 Mentor Fee ( Year One) - Paid directly to mentor. Due at the end of the first year

• $1000 Mentor Fee (Year Two) – Paid directly to mentor. Due at the end of year two

________________________________________________ * Registration fee entitles resident to three “Leadership Academy” workshops in year one, and one workshop of choice in year two