eJournal Entry 2

I will say that last week’s activity really helped me narrow down what the true problem could possibly be.  After working through the “5 whys” exercise, I come to realize the practicum teachers were not performing due to the administrators not knowing the expectation to hold the teachers accountable.  I also realized that it was difficult to hold these teachers accountable from the district level.  I now realize the problem is instructional and I would need to have a professional development with all administrators who have practicum teachers.  The knowledge that is necessary would be all expectations, accountabilities, and policies necessary for an intern student in any practicum to be successful in the course.  Skills that would be needed is for the administrator to articulate these necessary requirements to new and experience practicum teachers.  Also, the administrators need to be able to recognize a check off list of requirements to assist teachers with following up and staying organize on paperwork and schedules as the program moves forward throughout the year.  The administrators in the professional development need to have an optimistic attitude and realize this is a nontraditional approach to education which is just as important as mandated testing or state accountability.  Administrators need to realize the opportunities for students and value our industry relationships which allow kids the opportunity to internship.  I also need to examine the level of understanding the administrators have of the practicum experience to see where I would spend the majority of my time on instruction.  It seems like with analyzing the context, I will need to have a simulation or even a “day in the life” of an intern student so the administrator (learner) can really pick up on the skills and support needed to close the gap for exceptional performance.  Many of the administrators are already overwhelmed with other duties.  Some with different duties than others.  The interesting thing is the majority of the internships are students from the career high school than interns from the comprehensive high schools.  However, you would naturally assume that the administrators at the career high school would have a better understanding.  Unfortunately, I believe all the administrators are on the same page with the lack of understanding.  I would definitely have to take them out of their normal element.