External Advisory Committee
May 6, 2010
Dinner at the Memorial Union
Attendance:
Doug Wheeler, Ann Pierce, Barbara Dougherty, Linda Quinn Allen, Carl Smith, Kelly Faga, Greg Prince-Jensen, John Kinley, Julie Hockey, Kelsey McQueen (student), Al Campbell, Denny Albertson, Alex Andreotti, Tim Taylor, Tom Greenbowe, Charlie Dobbs, Mike Behrens, Tom Narrak , David Whaley, Hina Patel
Minutes:
Dean White provided a welcome. She conveyed that each member was chosen for a reason. Also, the National Teacher of the Year is a graduate of Teacher Education at Iowa State University. We want Teacher Education to be more recognizable. We will ask this External Advisory Committee to assist with that piece of the puzzle. Dean White shared that there is an increase in enrollment numbers for teacher education candidates at ISU. She also shared that there will be changes in the Curriculum and Instruction department and Educational Leadership and Policy Studies department. A combination may result after a year. This combination may move strategically to a School of Education. There is enthusiasm for this initiative.
Priorities:
1. How can we capitalize on our strengths at ISU so that it can parallel the strategic plan at ISU. We are ISU of Science and Technology so how does that collide with Teacher Education. Teacher Education at Iowa State needs to distinguish itself with its strengths. We also need to align with STEM programs but not undermine the other licensure areas that do not necessarily have a direct link.
2. A summit for STEM education at Iowa State may be of value. So what do we know about the needs of teaching in urban/rural areas. So how do we teach students to be prepared for diverse contexts.
3. Our program is a university wide program. The College of Human Sciences is a lead on Teacher Education because of CI and ELPS, but two other colleges play an important role in Teacher Education.
Whaley shared the enrollment numbers from the Board of Regents report (students who are formally admitted). Whaley shared that in the future, we will review the admission criteria and would like your input on it. We have a 2.50 minimum GPA but our average is 3.24. To parallel the land grant institution, we have a minimum of 2. 5. In the press, it appears that we do not have a rigorous program but all actuality we do.
UNI produces 50% of teachers, ISU provides 26% and U of I provides 24%. We provided 579 endorsements in 2008-2009. We graduate approximately 260 students every year so multiple endorsements are pursued by our students.
Pierce shared the student teaching sites that we have in and outside of Iowa and across the world. One of our qualified faculty and staff members who are adept at supervision travel to the site and provide evaluations.
Kelsey McQueen was the student representative who shared strengths and areas of improvement. Practica is a strength for ISU. Also the literacy courses (word walls, daily five, reading groups) are really informative. I wish we had more math and science related practica. We need more information on how to create an electronic IEP. The cooperating teachers are very helpful and was one of her favorite parts. She encouraged me to step in and take control. I was able to interact with the children and get to know them as individuals. Kelsey remarked that she knows how to write goals and prepare for the next day. Kelsey suggested more classes in special education for elementary education majors so that classroom management issues can be handled better. Spending more time on scenarios would be helpful, not necessarily a whole new class.
We reviewed some of the results of the Assessment Subcommittee and were asked to discuss and reflect on the results. Valuable feedback was shared by committee members including: 1. encouragement for the all social-science endorsement and expanding world languages to Mandarin and Arabic.