MINUTES OF
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION FACULTY MEETING
May 5, 2009
The Teacher Education Faculty met at 9:01 a.m. on May 5, 2009 for a NCATE standards review meeting. Faculty and staff from all campuses were present.
Faculty/Staff Present:
Dr. Dave Stout, Chair Dr. Trudi Gaines Ms. Sue Dow
Ms. April Adams Ms. Amany Habib Ms. Gail Brockway
Dr. Charlie Aplin Dr. Kathy Heineken Ms. Janice Royce
Dr. Jennifer Bailey Dr. Craig Jones
Dr. Bill Barnes Ms. Linda Manning
Dr. Charlotte Boling Dr. Bob Markowitz
Dr. Sandra Davis Dr. Joe Peters
Dr. Fe Desposito Dr. Anita Solarski
Ms. Melanie Diloreto Dr. Carol Tanksley
Ms. Leigh Ann Eubanks Dr. Keith Whinnery
Dr. Bill Evans Dr. Stacie Whinnery
Dr. Richard Faessel
Faculty Guest:
Dr. Tom Kramer, Chair, Professional & Community Leadership
Faculty/Staff Absent:
Dr. Leasha Barry
Dr. John Platt
Ms. Darlene Peters
Standards Presentation
Melanie Diloreto gave introduction to NCATE session. Thanked everyone for their cooperation in this process.
I. Conceptual Framework – Dr. Craig Jones
Dr. Jones gave a Powerpoint presentation on Conceptual Framework (CF). After checking with faculty across campus, local community, and principal surveys, feedback is mostly positive. The CF core has not changed significantly since 1990. Melanie has prepared a brochure of key faculty list of references. Knowledge bases have been updated and encourage faculty input for additions and/or changes.
“The Empowered Person and Professional Making a Difference” was suggested CF statement. A vote was taken by division faculty to accept and passed.
Dr. Jones reviewed the four themes that the original document established. These were: (1) Authentic learning and integrated curriculum; (2) Inclusion of performance-based methods of assessment (evidence-based decision-making in addition to data-based decision-making); (3) Application of technology to learning and teaching in all programs; and (4) Infusion of diverse learning environments and diverse learners in all programs.
He then reviewed the six Unit-wide Characteristics/Dispositions based to fit within domains of university learning environment. 1) Critical Thinkers, 2) Problem solvers, 3) Decision-makers, 4) Counselor/Mentor, 5) Ethical/Moral, and 6) Lifelong Learner
Suggested improvements include: 1) Increasing outcomes relative to diversity,
2) Focusing depth/variety on technology skills, teaching students how to manage technology systems, and 3) Develop evidence-based decision-making skills
II. Standard 2 – Assessment System and Unit Evaluation – Dr. Stacie Whinnery
Dr. Whinnery using Powerpoint presentation reviewed the process of assessing the entire unit and candidates. Program Review Committee chaired by Dr. Kathy Heineken has met regularly to work with program SLOs. Every program SLO need to be tied to each course SLOs. Melanie Diloreto has linked the CF and dispositions to the programs. Faculty are now tasked to linking program SLOs to their courses. Main focus of assignments – ESOL, Reading, Subject Area, FEAPS – should be limited to a few major SLOs.
Lead Instructors had a Retreat to work on key assignments. A future retreat is being planned. Advisory Committee continues a systematic review of data. All this info is found on School of Education website.
III. Standard 1 – Candidate Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions – Dr. Keith Whinnery
Dr. Whinnery using Powerpoint presentation discussed the evaluation of candidate’s knowledge. One assessment is the FCTE. Other key assessments are more challenging. Rubrics need to be developed to categorize standards and indicate content knowledge according to: 1) pedagogical content knowledge and skills or 2) professional and pedagogical content knowledge and skills.
Dr. Stacie Whinnery discussed one rubric which satisfies two assessment purposes, grading and course SLOs. This system should be ready to use in fall 2009.
Key assessments indicate candidates’ demonstration of the six professional dispositions. Students will be given these key assessments at orientation which they will be required to sign having received. They will also do a self rating assessment. An assessment of candidate will also be requested of a reference (instructor, supervising teacher, etc). If candidate is not meeting disposition at some point, then a PDP can be made.
IV. Field Experience – Dr. Anita Solarski
Dr. Solarski explained that field experience is collaboration between division and schools. Field experience assesses the Knowledge Base and Application. Two major changes have been made in the past year – TK20 and Faculty Associates (FA) (replacing the UWF student teacher coordinator). NCATE reviewers will want to know about the training FAs are receiving, i.e., clinical education training. In addition to criteria for FAs, other info needed will be to show how students use technology in practicum, collecting and analyzing data on student work, multiple assessments of student teachers.
V. Standard 4 – Opportunities of Interaction in Diversity - Amany Habib/Dr. Fe Desposito
Ms. Habib stated that she has little information to make report and needs faculty to provide her anything dealing with diversity. This includes professional and personal interactions relating to language, culture, gender, race, and disabilities (workshops, community interactions, specific related courses).
Dr. Desposito using Powerpoint presentation reviewed different ways faculty are involved in diversity through knowledge and experiences. She also discussed percentage of diverse groups within UWF university, PEC unit and gave school demographics for fall 2008.
VI. Governance, Budget, Personnel and Resources – Dr. Charlotte Boling
Dr. Boling reviewed the governance system, budget, faculty personnel, and facilities and resources supporting the teacher education unit.
VII. Faculty Qualifications – Dr. Dave Stout for Dr. John Platt
Dr. Stout discussed what faculty activities tie into Conceptual Framework. Faculty need to highlight accomplishments. Let Melanie Diloreto know what technology is used in classroom. Dean Chu is looking for journal articles, books, scholarship/grant items to display during NCATE visit.
Division Meeting Items:
1) Budget Item – There is money enough for five GAs in the summer.
2) Annual Evaluations are due May 18. TK20 will be utilized to upload Goals and Accomplishments.
3) Promotion/Tenure guidelines need to be revamped – too general
4) Lead Instructors Retreat was very productive; rubric was made for key assignments. Future retreat will be announced.
5) Reducing material fees for courses – Dean Chu has asked department faculty to commit to helping students reduce course costs. He will award $100 to individual faculty seed account and $2,000 to the department seed account. Ideas were discussed and faculty will explore possibilities. Dr. Stout will set an ad hoc committee
6) Lab School – Ensley Elementary has been slated as a Lab School. It is in the planning stages to begin in a year. Dr. Jones and Dr. Stout will be involved in this process. Warrington Middle will become a school board run institution rather than a possible lab school.
7) Summer courses – Changes are still being made, canceling low enrollment courses, moving students to enlarge another section, etc. If there are concerns or problems see Dr. Stout.
8) Adjunct Options – If there is qualified doctoral student to teach course or help write NCATE documents, let Dr. Stout know. There is some money available.
Adjourned meeting at 11:42 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Sue Dow
Office Administrator
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