Background and Purpose
This CAS program requirement challenges students to reflect, self-assess and plan next steps, in terms of a defined set of criteria. The criteria are the knowledge, skills and characteristics that comprise NYS standards for building- and district-level educational leaders. The purpose of the Personal Plan requirement is to cultivate students’ responsibility for their own learning, to supplement faculty and field-supervisors’ assessments.
Goals
Four main goals for Personal Plans are:
• critical self-appraisal of strengths & weaknesses, over time;
• integrative synthesis of multiple learning experiences;
• thoughtful planning for coursework, internships and beyond; and
• clear and succinct communication.
Quality, rather than quantity, should drive all components of your Plan.
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What to Include in Your Plan
- The four required components of Personal Plans are to:
- 1. Identify where you are, in terms of the learning outcomes specified in NYS State standards for Personal Plans. For example, you may have considerable knowledge and skills in some dimensions of leadership (e.g., mentoring, supervising and evaluating teaching), but limited or no experience in others (e.g., developing and managing a budget). Similarly, you may be familiar with comprehensive planning for your school, yet have no such awareness at the district level. Self-assessments must identify both strengths and areas for growth (weaknesses).
- 2. Compose integrative essays that concisely summarize your critical self-assessment. When applicable, relate your current appraisal to the analyses and plans developed earlier in your CAS program of study.
- 3. Consider including artifacts
to illustrate selected claims made in your
summary essays, if you wish. All assertions,
of
course, must
be supported in writing your narrative self-assessment.
However, this third optional Plan component allows you
to accompany a few particular claims you wish
to
highlight, with illustrations or tangible evidence.
The latter may take the form of authentic documents,
data, digital photos, graphic organizers, evaluations
or other illustrative materials or media of your
choice.
- 4. Plan and list the next steps you will take to address selected weaknesses and advance toward mastering NYS standards for building- and district-level educational leaders. Ideally, the candid stock-taking accomplished in steps #1, 2, and 3 above will help focus needs for self-improvement and continued learning. For example, your planned next steps might include specific research, field-based projects, internship experiences, elective courses, professional development opportunities, job exploration or career pursuits. The more concrete the Plan, the more useful it can be to your future growth as an educational leader.
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When to Submit and Discuss Plan with Your Advisor
Your Personal Plan will be the focus of discussion and feedback from your faculty advisor at 3 distinct times in your program of study:
1. Upon admission to the CAS, at which time your advisor will answer any questions you have about initiating the Personal Plan. You should be prepared to discuss relevant prior experience, current strengths and course selection priorities for advancing toward mastery of NYS quality standards for educational leaders.
2. Upon completion of 24-credit hours in the CAS program (inclusive of at least 4 of its 7 core courses), at which time possibilities for the capstone internship will be deliberated and planned, again in the context of refining knowledge and skills reflected in quality standards and aimed at progressing toward personal career goals. You should make your Plan available to your advisor electronically, at least one week prior to an appointment which you initiate.
3. Upon completion of the capstone internship and all 32-credit hours of the CAS, in order to assess eligibility for graduation and determine final updates and revisions needed both to earn the university’s recommendation for state certification, and to become a viable candidate for the educational leadership positions you may seek. As before, you should make your Plan available to your advisor electronically, at least one week prior to an appointment which you initiate.
Personal Plans and the Capstone Internship
An update and oral presentation on your Personal Plan also serves as a final product for EDUC 692, the required Seminar that accompanies your capstone Internship for the CAS. This adds a fourth occasion to reflect, assess leadership competencies and plan for the future. It also affords the opportunity and challenge of sharing your Personal Plan with a broader audience of colleague Interns. Satisfactory-Unsatisfactory grades for EDUC 692 will be issued after the internship is satisfactorily completed and the Personal Plan is judged acceptable by the seminar instructor.
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