Endorsement (Check One) Gifted Reading

Endorsement (circle one) Gifted Reading Name: ______SSN (last four digits) ______Address: ______State ______Zip ______Phone Number: ______Email address: ______School: ______School Phone ______Certification Level: ______Years Experience: ______Grade Level (s): ______Subject Areas: ______

The following signatures verify both school and system recommendations that the above candidate meets the *criteria for the checked endorsement program. ______Principal’s Signature Director in Department of Academics Signature ______Date Date

My signature verifies my understanding that I will adhere to all program requirements, expectations, and evaluation guidelines, program completion expectations, processes, and procedures for the selected endorsement program. ______Candidate Signature Date

Mail original application with a copy of your Clear-Renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate to: Human Resources- Laura Moon Floyd County Board of Education, 600 Riverside Parkway, NE, Rome, GA 30165 Program criteria: All endorsements—Candidate has a Clear-Renewable Georgia Teaching Certificate and is currently under contract with Floyd County Schools. In addition to the criteria above, Gifted endorsement program requires two years of teaching experience. Floyd County School System Department of Academics Endorsement Programs Candidate Commitments and Responsibilities- Self-Verification Form Candidates accepted to an endorsement program are expected to demonstrate commitment to program completion. Candidates have a commitment and responsibility to:

1. Attend every class. Candidates who are absent for more than 10% of classes in an endorsement course are not eligible for credit for that course and will not be able to continue participating in the endorsement program.

2. Arrive on time and stay for the entire class.

3. Attend and complete all clinical practicum assignments at the scheduled endorsement practicum or camp. NO EXCEPTIONS

4. Silence all personal digital devices (iPad, iPhone, cell phone, Droids, etc) throughout the entire class session.

5. Participate in class discussions and activities.

6. Complete all class assignments by the date indicated by the instructor.

7. Should a candidate who has been accepted to and enrolled in an endorsement program fail to complete the endorsement program, other than in an emergency determined by central office personnel, the candidate will not be eligible to participate in another endorsement in Floyd County.

I understand and agree to fulfill the above commitments and responsibilities.

______

Candidate’s Signature Date Program Admission Criteria The following criteria are considered at Floyd County School System when reviewing candidates for admission to an endorsement program: . Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college/university with a minimum 2.5 GPA . Valid clear renewable teaching certificate . A system recommendation form signed by two system administrators, including the building principal . A Candidate Responsibilities Form that indicates the candidate’s commitment to participate fully in the endorsement program and understanding of the competencies, expectations, and requirements of the program . A minimum of two years of successful teaching experience is required for candidates in the Gifted Endorsement Program . A minimum of one year of successful teaching experience is required for candidates in the Reading Endorsement Program

Entering candidates possess a clear renewable teaching certificate and therefore have met the criteria for basic literacy skills in computing and know how to use electronic technologies to access and exchange information. When all of the information has been submitted, Human Resource Assistant, Laura Moon, reviews the documents and schedules an interview with the candidate applicant if any of the documents are questionable. Admission to endorsement programs is determined by the Admissions Committee of the Department of Academics. Candidates are notified of acceptance into the program by letter

Program Deviation from Guidelines Under Floyd County School System Endorsement Program policies, candidates who wish to transfer graduate reading or gifted course credit from an accredited institution must provide official transcripts, a course description and syllabus from the institution where the course was completed. The Floyd County School System Reading and Gifted Endorsement Program Coordinators must determine whether the course content parallels Floyd County School System Reading and Gifted Endorsement required course content. If content is parallel, and the candidates received passing grades, a Course Credit Evaluation Form is completed and submitted to the Endorsement Committee for final approval. The final decision is submitted to the the Director of Professional Learning. No more than 6-10 PLUs, or two course, may be transferred into any candidate’s endorsement program. Candidates occasionally take courses out of sequence, based on personal or family situations. If this happens, instructors work with candidates on an individual basis in an effort to help them complete the required program of study in a timely manner. Reading Endorsement Program Delivery System The Floyd County School System Reading Endorsement Program is designed to include a three course sequence with completion within one year. The delivery system incorporates the following factors: A. Reading Endorsement Program Course-of-Studies Sequence Required Courses PLUs

Emergent Literacy: Foundations of Reading in a Diverse Society 5 Identifying and Correcting Classroom Reading Problems 5 Problems in Teaching Reading and Writing: Methods and Materials 5

Course Descriptions The courses offered in the Reading Endorsement Program include the following required sequence (See Program Deviations below).

Course 1 Emergent Literacy: Foundations of Reading in a Diverse Society. 5 PLUs. This course emphasizes the traditions, theories, and practices in literacy that have emanated from a long history of research and practice. Through this course, candidates will examine how particular theories of literacy impact the practices of teaching reading and writing in the pre K-8 classrooms. Course 2 Identifying and Correcting Classroom Reading Problems. 5 PLUs. The course emphasizes the principles, practices and applications of a variety of reading assessments for students with different learning abilities and needs. Prerequisite: Emergent Literacy: Foundations of Reading in a Diverse Society

Course 3 Problems in Teaching Reading and Writing: Methods and Materials. 5 PLUs. This course is designed to give candidates the opportunity to explore a topic of interest for the purpose of researching and applying a variety of reading assessments and instructional materials and activities with students with individual differences. Prerequisites: Emergent Literacy: Foundations of Reading in a Diverse Society, Identifying and Correcting Classroom Reading Problems

Descriptions of Field Experiences Candidates are required to participate in both field experiences and a supervised clinical practicum. Field experiences are embedded in Course 1, Emergent Literacy: Foundations of Reading in a Diverse Society and Course 3, Problems in Teaching Reading: Methods and Materials where course content is applied in the candidate’s classroom. After successful completion of Course 1, candidates complete a supervised clinical practicum concurrently with Course 2, Identifying and Correcting Classroom Reading Problems. The practicum is the capstone activity in the Reading Endorsement Program. It allows candidates direct supervised experience in using assessment to plan and implement instruction that meets the diagnosed needs of a student/s at a grade and developmental level different from their current teaching assignment. This ensures that candidates have the opportunity to explore the role of clinical reading instruction in a diverse setting. The Clinical Practicum is offered in a Title 1 or Needs Improvement School in one of the system schools. Candidates have 20-25 hours of clinical experience (2 hours per day contact time with additional study time for required readings and planning). Candidates work with children and/or adolescents with reading difficulties. Supervised by a full-time faculty member, candidates use a variety of diagnostic procedures and work in collaboration with parents and school personnel to determine the instructional needs of the learner. An intervention plan is designed and implemented based on this information. Data analysis procedures, case findings, and instructional strategies take place daily with other candidates and the instructor to compare case findings, and to learn effective instructional methods. Each candidate completes a professional case study of a student and implements an individualized instructional plan. After successful completion of Course 2, candidates complete the final course, Problems in Teaching Reading and Writing: Methods and Materials. This course includes as the central project the research and development of a professional presentation on one of the five essential components of reading. Candidates collaborate with colleagues to research instructional materials and activities on a selected component of reading and design and present a professional development workshop for their colleagues. The instructor converses with the students weekly through a dialogue journal and provides support as candidates plan their presentations. This course incorporates field experiences requiring candidates to implement instructional activities within a selected component of reading and present the results as part of the professional development presentation. Gifted Endorsement Program Delivery System The Floyd County School System Gifted Endorsement Program is designed to include a four- course sequence with completion within two years. The delivery system incorporates the following factors: A. Gifted Endorsement Program Course-of-Studies Sequence Required Courses PLUs

Characteristics of Gifted 5 Methods and Materials for Teaching Gifted 5 Assessment for Gifted 5 Curriculum and Program Development for Gifted 5

Course Descriptions The courses offered in the Gifted Endorsement Program include the following required sequence.

Course 1 Characteristics of Gifted. 5 PLUs. Characteristics of the Gifted provides an overview of gifted learners and special populations. Cognitive, social-emotional, and behavioral characteristics of gifted children necessitate different instructional design. This course will address methods by which the unique characteristics can be addressed in instruction and learning environment.

Course 2 Methods and Materials for Teaching Gifted. 5 PLUs. Methods and Materials for Teaching the Gifted provides an understanding of instructional methods and material appropriate for meeting the unique learning needs of gifted students. Strategies for differentiating content, process, product, and learning environment will be addressed in this course. Prerequisite: Characteristics of Gifted

Course 3 Assessment for Gifted. 5 PLUs. Assessment for the Gifted provides an overview of the various assessment tools used to identify the Gifted. Participants will explain basic assessment concepts through activities that will require reading, interpretation, and discussion. Prerequisites: Characteristics of Gifted and Methods and Materials of Teaching Gifted

Course 4 Curriculum and Program Development for Gifted 5 PLUs. Curriculum and Program Development for the Gifted provides an overview of major program models and principles that govern the development of differentiated programming and curriculum for gifted students. Participants will apply the principles as they plan, implement, and evaluate a summer gifted program at selected sites. Prerequisites: Characteristics of Gifted and Methods and Materials of Teaching Gifted Gifted Endorsement Program 2013-2014- Tenative Dates *Each Gifted course has two classes face-to-face. *Attendance at face-to-face classes is mandatory—the remainder of the course work is on- line Course 1: Characteristics of Gifted Children August to October

Co- Date Location Time Class Information hort

Floyd August 12th Floyd 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Orientation BOE

Floyd October 14th Floyd 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Final Meeting BOE

Course 2: Methods and Materials for Gifted Learners October to December

Floyd October 14th Floyd BOE 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Orientation p.m.

Floyd December 16th Floyd BOE 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Final Meeting p.m.

Course 3: Assessment of Gifted Learners November to February

Floyd November 11th Floyd 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Orientation BOE

Floyd February 24th Floyd 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Final Meeting BOE

Course 4: Curriculum and Program Development for Gifted Learners February to May

Co-hort Date Location Time Class Information Floyd February 24th Floyd 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Orientation BOE p.m.

Floyd May 29th Floyd 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Final Meeting BOE p.m.

Reading Endorsement Program Schedule of Classes 2014-2015 Course 1: Emergent Literacy: Foundations of Reading in a Diverse Society January 14- March 25, 2014 and April 8th is a make-up day Date Location Time Class Information January 14- Bartow Learning Center- Old Cass 4:00 p.m . to 8:00 Class 1 Tuesday High School p.m. January 21 Bartow Learning Center- Old Cass 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Class 2 High School p.m. January 28 Bartow Learning Center- Old Cass 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Class 3 High School p.m.

February 4 Bartow Learning Center- Old Cass 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Class 4 High School p.m.

March 4 Bartow Learning Center- Old Cass 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Class 7 High School p.m.

March 25 Bartow Learning Center- Old Cass 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 Class 10 High School p.m. Course 2: Identifying and Correcting Classroom Reading Problems April 15- June 5, 2014 Date Location Time Class Information April 15 Bartow Learning Center- 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Class 1 Old Cass High School

April 29 Bartow Learning Center- 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m Class 2 Old Cass High School

May 6 Bartow Learning Center- 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m Class 3 Old Cass High School

May 13 Bartow Learning Center- 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m Class 4 Old Cass High School

May 20 Bartow Learning Center- 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m Class 5 Old Cass High School May 27- Floyd County Schools- 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Instruction with Practicum 29 Location TBA students from 9 a.m. to 2 pm) June 3-5 Floyd County Schools- 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Instruction with Practicum Location TBA students from 9 a.m. to 2 pm) Course 3: Problems in Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Area September 9-November 18, 2014 Date Location Time Class Information September 9 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 1 Cass High School 8:00 p.m.

September 16 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 2 Cass High School 8:00 p.m.

Septemeber 23 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 3 Cass High School 8:00 p.m.

September 30 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 4 Cass High School 8:00 p.m.

October 14 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 5 Cass High School 8:00 p.m.

November 4 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 8 Cass High School 8:00 p.m. November 11 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 9 Cass High School 8:00 p.m.

November 18 Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Class 10 Cass High School 8:00 p.m.

December 2 (Make-up if Bartow Learning Center- Old 4:00 p.m. to Make-up necessary) Cass High School 8:00 p.m.