The Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment Process - Pilot

BACKGROUND

For the past seven years, the department has coordinated the rigorous task of developing a process for achieving the "Master Educator" stage license in Wisconsin as authorized under PI 34, Wisconsin Administrative Code (Teacher Education Program Approval and Licenses rules). Work teams composed of expert educators from all levels of education in Wisconsin developed the concepts, philosophy, requirements, assessment rubrics, procedures and guidebooks for the Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment Process (WMEAP). Their work benefited from consulting with national experts who helped develop the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) to which the Wisconsin process must be comparable; consulting with other state experts who have designed portfolio assessments for their states' licensure; receiving the services and resources of the Interstate New Teachers' Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) who have developed a process for training assessors in the review of teacher portfolios; and obtaining the leadership of a nationally recognized expert in all these processes who, in addition, was involved in developing the Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards.

DRAMATIC CULTURE CHANGE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LICENSURE

The Master Educator License (MEL) and WMEAP are VOLUNTARY options for experienced professional licensure stage educators. There is no expectation that all qualified educators pursue or attain the MEL. The state acknowledges that the professional stage license represents highly qualified educators. The WMEAP is a professional development process unlike any other an educator has experienced. The process is the most profound learning experience the educator will have had in education as it demonstrates through a portfolio and video the candidate's most personal involvement in the critical roles of the license field. The candidate's portfolio is ASSESSED on the quality of demonstration of mastery of all the Wisconsin Standards in her/his license field of practice. Although the portfolio development requires much time, commitment and rigor, the process alone will enhance the candidate's professional performance.

The WMEAP is a rigorous three step authentic assessment process. To obtain the Master Educator license through the WMEAP an applicant must first meet eligibility requirements. A complete application must be submitted according to specific deadlines and is reviewed and approved by the three member assessment team. Second, if the application is approved, the WMEAP requires 1-2 years to complete and includes development of 4 portfolio entries comprised of work samples, videotapes, and analyses and reflections of the educator's practice and pupil learning. Finally, the submitted portfolio is then assessed by a three member assessment team qualified in the candidate's licensure field and trained in portfolio assessment. Eligibility criteria, prescriptive procedures contained in guidebooks, and timeframes are stringently applied. Candidates who do not achieve Mastery on their first portfolio submission have one additional school year to resubmit portfolio entries which did not attain mastery.

ELIGIBLE LICENSES

In order to ensure validity and reliability in our Wisconsin Master Educator Assessment Process, and due to the intensive labor, assessor training and unique expertise involved, we have decided to initially offer the WMEAP only for those Wisconsin licenses not currently covered by the NBPTS certifications (administration, pupil services, several teaching fields) which are already eligible for the Wisconsin Master Educator license:

• Administration
  • Superintendent (03)
  • School Business Administrator (08)
  • Director of Instruction (10)
  • Principal (51)
  • Local Vocational Education Coordinator (65)
  • Director of Special Education and Pupil Services (80)
  • Library Media Supervisor (91)
  • Instructional Technology Coordinator (92)
  • Reading Specialist (17)
• Pupil Services
  • School Social Worker (50)
  • School Counselor (54)
  • School Psychologist (61, 62)
  • School Nurse (75)
• Teaching/Supplemental
  • Theatre (325)
  • Computer Science (405)
  • Dance (536)
  • Psychology (740)
  • Speech and Language Pathology (820)
  • Assistive Technology (858)
  • Adaptive Education (859)
  • Adaptive Physical Education (860)

CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The WMEAP license is only available to experienced educators holding a master's degree. By rule, applicants must submit an application which is approved by the 3 member assessment team. Applicants will be approved to begin the process only if ALL of the following requirements are met:

1. Documentation of a related master's degree;
2. Verification of at least 5 years of successful professional licensure stage experience in the field of the master application or while holding a 5-year license or a life license in that field issued prior to July 1, 2004 and be currently employed in that position;
3. Evidence of contributions to the profession;
4. Evidence of improved pupil learning.

Educators can apply, at the earliest, in their 5th year as a Professional Educator, with verification from their administrator(s) that they will successfully complete their 5 years in that school year.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING

• You will experience the most profound and rewarding professional development of your career.
• If you achieve mastery through your portfolio assessment, you will be awarded a 10 year Wisconsin Master Educator license in the field your portfolio addressed.
• Some school districts in Wisconsin will award additional steps on the salary schedule for attainment of the Master Educator License.
• If you did not achieve mastery, your license will be renewed at the professional stage for 5 years.
• Other professional stage licenses you hold may be renewed on the basis of completing the WMEAP whether or not you attain mastery.

TIMELINES

Since the WMEAP is a resource intensive and multifaceted annual process, all timelines are strictly enforced. There are NO allowances for late, incomplete or ineligible applications or portfolios.

• Applications will be disqualified due to
  • Late Submission.
  • Lack of original transcript verifying Master's Degree.
  • Lack of verification from school/district of 5 years professional stage experience in license field.
  • No documentation of contributions to the profession.
  • No documentation of improved pupil learning.

Overview of the WMEAP and Guidebooks

For questions about this information, contact Charlene M. Koci (608) 267-9215

Last updated on 8/14/2008 3:26:38 PM