TLAS Application and Nomination - Michigan Assessment Consortium

We are pleased you are considering the MAC Teacher Leader Assessment Specialist (TLAS) program.

The TLAS program of study is the nation’s first program leading to credentialed teacher leaders prepared to serve as classroom assessment specialists (CAS). The approximately 18-month, self-paced program is designed for individuals whose work and experience reflects strong leadership capacity and a commitment to promoting assessment literacy. Program candidates have a level of expertise in assessment and a desire to further develop their knowledge and skills. Candidates work in various education settings and have the option to self-pay or be sponsored by their school or organization.

NOTE: We are now accepting nominations and applications for the cohort that will begin Winter 2025. The review process will begin Fall 2025, and all applicants will receive a response by November 15, 2024.

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Make sure you’ve reviewed the TLAS home page and reviewed the TLAS FACTS below.

CANDIDATE APPLICATION

NOMINATION FORM

TLAS Announcements

TLAS Pilot Cohort has begun!
Now accepting nominations and applications for the cohort starting Winter 2025. Got questions before you apply? Check out the TLAS facts below the Important Dates.

TLAS FACTS

Learn more about the Teacher Leader Assessment Specialist Program of Study!

WHAT YOU’LL EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE TLAS PROGRAM

JOB-EMBEDDED, COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING

Candidates will use their work environment (or another educational setting, if applicable) as the context for exploring and applying seven competencies in assessment literacy. Through job-embedded application, the candidates compile evidence of their work into a portfolio to demonstrate their competence in assessment literacy. Candidates will complete a presentation of learning at the end of each course and a final capstone project at the completion of the program.

FACULTY

Tara Kintz, Ph.D.

Program Co-Director

Read Tara’s bio

TLAS Bio-Vorenkamp Ellen Vorenkamp, Ph.D.

Program Co-Director

Read Ellen’s bio

TLAS Faculty

Kathy Dewsbury-White, Ph.D.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN TLAS

POSITIVE IMPACT!

The TLAS program’s competency-based design combined with job-embedded application provides candidates with a unique opportunity to further develop and refine their assessment literacy knowledge and skills, while enhancing the educational environment in which they work.

TLAS CANDIDATES WIN BY STRENGTHENING THEIR COMPETENCE AND LEADERSHIP IN CRITICAL AREAS

Appreciating the difference between assessment for learning and assessment of learning
Understanding comprehensive, balanced assessment systems
Integrating formative assessment as a process with teaching and learning
Developing/selecting classroom summative assessment
Developing assessment capable learners
Using grading practices that support student learning
Understanding the impact of policy on the quality of educational experiences

SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS BENEFIT from having more knowledgeable and skillful employees who will promote assessment literacy, support their colleagues, and enhance learning outcomes for all students.

Sponsoring organizations benefit from having more knowledgeable and skillful employees who will promote assessment literacy, support their colleagues, and enhance learning outcomes for all students.

CREDENTIALS AND ENDORSEMENT

Successful program completers will earn a Teacher Leader Assessment Specialist credential from the Michigan Assessment Consortium and a Teacher Leader enhancement on their Michigan teaching license. Qualifying candidates will be eligible to attain the highest level of professional license the state of Michigan offers for teaching, the Advanced Teacher Leader License (see specific MDE requirements).

FEES, ELIGIBILITY, PROCESS

PROGRAM FEES and EMPLOYER SPONSORSHIP

The TLAS program of study is valued at $12,000. Candidates have the option to self-pay or be sponsored by their employer/agency. For the initial Winter 2024 cohort ONLY, MAC is underwriting all but $2,400 of the tuition. The candidate’s share can be self-paid or paid by a sponsoring district or organization.

Regardless of sponsorship, candidates must affirm that their employer is supportive of the candidate and will provide release time for the job-embedded assignments, collegial collaboration, and in-person presentations. An invoice for program fees will be sent to responsible party(ies) upon acceptance into the TLAS program and completion of the registration information.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION PROCESS

We invite your nomination and application if you have:

A commitment to promote assessment literacy for educators and students
An investment in personal and professional development
Interest in expanding leadership capacity
Substantive work experience
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent

We encourage you to carefully consider the time and effort required to engage in the TLAS program of study in the context of your current responsibilities. We recommend you apply only if you can fully participate and complete the program.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION SCHEDULE