STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH LEADING TO COMPETENCY

I. Professional Teacher Certification

The following standards for professional growth leading to competency shall be the basis upon which a Teacher

Action Plan is drafted, observations and assessments are made and

recommendations are adopted for the purpose of professional-level certification:

A Subject Matter Knowledge

The competent teacher is knowledgeable in the subject or subject field proposed for

Professional certification.

B Communication/Language Skills

The competent teacher communicates in clear understandable and appropriate language. To meet this

standard the applicant must demonstrate that he/she:

1) Gives clear and concise explanations and directions.

2) Frames questions which encourage inquiry from students.

3) Uses probing inquiry questions to help students understand concepts and

relationships.

4) Makes the goals of teaching and learning clear to students.

5) Uses language appropriate to the age, developmental level, special needs and social,

racial and linguistic background of the student.

6) Uses clear and effective oral and written communication.

C Curriculum Planning, Classroom Instruction

The competent teacher designs instruction to facilitate learning consistent with the needs and interests of

students in a manner which maintains a sense of order and purpose in the classroom. To meet this standard,

the applicant must demonstrate that

he/she:

1) Plans instructional programs around specific goals and objectives:

2) Develops objectives in a logical instructional sequence.

3) Uses a variety of instructional techniques appropriate to the needs of students and

the planned goals and objectives.

4) Uses information about students to adapt instruction to individual differences.

5) Incorporates previously taught concepts into new lessons so there is an effective transfer of learning.

6) Checks regularly for comprehension to be sure students understand the concepts

being taught.

D Evaluation of students

The competent teacher issues the results of various evaluative procedures to assess the

effectiveness of instruction. To meet this standard, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she:

1) Uses evaluative procedures appropriate to the age, developmental level, special needs, social and

linguistic background of students and corrects for any ethnic, racial or sex bias in evaluation.

2) Interprets the results of evaluative procedures and uses these

results to improve instruction for the class and for individual students.

3) Identifies problems in reading which will inhibit learning and works toward remedying these problems.

4) Encourages the involvement of students in evaluation of instruction.

5) Evaluates own role, behavior, and performance in the classroom.

6) Uses a variety of evaluation procedures such as systematic observation, student portfolio review and

exams.

7) Uses evaluation to determine when students have reached an acceptable level of mastery of concepts,

ideas (have mastered an acceptable level of the program goals and objectives).

8) Uses evaluation to assess instructional and curriculum effectiveness.

e) Professional Characteristics

The competent teacher is equitable, sensitive, and responsible to all students. To meet this standard, the applicant must demonstrate that he/she:

1) Encourages and defends the exercise of student rights to equal treatment and freedom of expression.

2) Responds to the needs of individual students.

3) Works toward a learning environment which allows and encourages open inquiry.

4) encourages a learning environment which is devoid of ridicule, avoids racial, sexual, social, ethnic,

religious and physical stereo typing.

5) Makes allowances for biases and limitations in his/her own backgrounds which may limit his/her

responsiveness to students of other backgrounds.

6) Uses criticism sparingly and does not demonstrate hostility, ridicule, or sarcasm.

SELF ASSESSMENT OUTLINE FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH LEADING TO COMPETENCY

A. Subject Matter Knowledge

List activities which demonstrate this standard.