Along with traditional grades, performance assessment standards are used to assess graduate students' work. Candidates must demonstrate competence at the Distinguished or Proficient level on the Indiana Developmental Standards for Educators, and Earlham M.A.T. standards and principles to be eligible for recommendation to the state of Indiana for teacher licensure. The different standards describe what every teacher should know and be able to do.
Levels of performance standards are defined below:
Distinguished
The candidate demonstrates an exemplary understanding of the standards and the ability to create a community of learners that highly motivates and engages students to assume considerable responsibility for their own learning. This candidate has the potential to be an outstanding first-year teacher.
Proficient
The candidate clearly understands the concepts underlying the standards and implements them well. The implementation is consistent and effective. The candidate demonstrates the likelihood of becoming an excellent teacher with more experience and mentoring.
Basic
The candidate appears to understand the concepts underlying the standards and attempts to implement these elements. Implementation is inconsistent and/or not entirely successful. Additional reading, observation and experience, supported by mentors, may enable the candidate to become proficient in this area. The candidate needs significant guidance and ongoing skill development to be successful in the classroom.
Unsatisfactory
The candidate does not appear to understand the concepts underlying the standards. Work on the fundamental practices associated with the standards is required to enable development in this area. Teacher certification will not be granted at this level.
Not Observed
The evaluator finds no evidence of this standard during the observation.
Not Applicable
The evaluator determines that this standard is not applicable to the observation situation.
- Students, along with their professor or supervisor, fill out an Incomplete Form that includes an agreed-upon plan for completing the coursework.
- The typical plan calls for all work to be completed within the next semester.
- The director signs off on all plans.
- The professor or supervisor is responsible for working with the student to implement and fulfill the plan.
- For any circumstances not covered by the above, the director serves as the plan supervisor.