PROGRAM REVIEW

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

 

 

 

 

MAY, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepared by

Dick Heimann, M.Ed.

Faculty in Education / Department Chair

 

table of contents

 

 

 

Introductory Remarks........................................................................................................ 1

Mission Statement............................................................................................................ 1

Goals.................................................................................................................................. 2

Associates Of Arts In Elementary Education (Aaee) Curriculum................................. 3

AAEE Program Curriculum Content: Course Descriptions And Enrollment Trends/History    5

Edu 200 Introduction To Education.......................................................................................................... 5

Edu 220 Diversity In Education –.................................................................................................................. 6

Edu 222 Introduction To Special Education........................................................................................ 6

Edu 272 Educational Psychology............................................................................................................... 7

Edu 276 - Managing The Learning Environment.................................................................................. 7

Edu 291 / Enl 291 Children’s Literature.................................................................................................... 8

Edu 201 –Substituting Teaching In The Schools................................................................................ 8

Edu 271 • Phonics Based Reading And Decoding................................................................................. 9

Edu 280 • Foundations Of Approaches To Serving English Language Learners (Ell). 9

Edu 281 Introduction To Structured English Immersion......................................................... 10

Edu 282 Structured English Immersion And English As A Second Language................ 10

Measures Of Success.................................................................................................... 12

Articulation With Community Colleges And Universities............................................ 14

Community Advisory Group........................................................................................... 18

Appendix I      Data Provided By Institutional Research.............................................. 22

 

 

 

 

EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW

May, 2008

 

Introductory Remarks

The Associates of Arts in Elementary Education (AAEE) degree provides students with undergraduate transfer coursework to any of Arizona’s publicly funded universities. There are three (3) core courses, EDU200-Introduction to Education, EDU220-Diversity in Education and EDU222- Introduction to Special Education, plus an EDU articulated elective that constitutes the AAEE Education curriculum of 12 credit hours. Additional required courses are MAT 161 and MAT 162, Algebra-based Mathematics for the Elementary School Teacher. The rest of the 64 credit hours required for the AAEE Degree are composed of the AGEC courses. Additionally, the Education program provides certified teachers with course work to assist them with eligibility for endorsements.

 

In January, 2003 the Education Department was initiated to develop a pathway degree program (Associate of Arts in Elementary Education) for students to articulate to a publicly funded university to complete their Initial Teacher Certification Program, with the completion of a baccalaureate degree in education. In the process of developing the degree pathway, curriculum was written and articulated with the Universities and Community Colleges statewide. The Northland Pioneer College Board of directors approved the Associate of Arts in Elementary Education (AAEE) in April, 2003 and Faculty initiated the degree program in the Fall-2003 semester. This action reduced problematic issues for students in advisement, curriculum planning, and transferring credits, by establishing a clearly defined transfer pathway to the university as a “block” of courses.

 

Prior to the AAEE degree approval, Education (EDU) courses were offered by NPC under the direction of the Dean of Liberal Arts. At this time the “No Child Left Behind” legislation placed pressure on school districts to insure that classroom teaching assistants had an AA degree or 60+ credit hours. This National initiative to insure “highly qualified teachers” did increase enrollment for a short time, but students soon found alternative pathways to retain their job (para-pro testing) or quit working in the classrooms. Current trends in enrollment remain consistent.

 

Courses are delivered to all campus/center locations through the audio or video distance learning modality, the Internet, and through traditional face to face classes. When scheduling classes the Department of Education attempts to provide a balanced offering for daytime students as well as evening students, allowing the curriculum to be completed in a 4 semester sequence.

 

Mission Statement

Northland Pioneer College creates, supports and promotes lifelong learning.

To meet NPC’s Mission the Education Department Mission is to provide a carefully crafted curriculum of foundation education courses, defining an academic pathway to teacher certification with an Associates of Arts in Elementary Education.

Preparing students for a career in the K-8 classroom we value:

·        Providing a solid foundation in the field of education to develop quality teachers who will transform education and the lives of their future students.

·        Maintaining high academic standards and developing the ability of future teachers to be confident, effective professionals in today’s diverse classrooms

·        Offering guidance and individualized attention to enable students to maximize their learning experience at NPC

 

Goals

NPC’s Education Department has multiple goals to meet the multiple goals of our students. Serving a student population with differentiated curriculum/career goals provides the Education Department with the opportunity to be flexible and student centered. The nature of a program with multiple goals produces challenges relative to articulating and defining measurements for “success” or “completion”. The department views these issues of student outcomes as best served by looking at the individual student and evaluating barriers they may encounter in completing their goals and self defined program of study at Northland Pioneer College.

 

·              Goal #1. Offer courses that provide an opportunity for students to explore career opportunities as an educator and the profession of a classroom educator.

 

·              Goal #2. Prepare students for employment in the public schools as an instructional assistant, by completing the AAEE degree, or by providing additional credits in education coursework.

 

·              Goal #3. Provide courses as a part of a transfer pathway to a University granting Initial Teacher Certification.

 

·              Goal # 4. Provide continuing education opportunities and credits for certified teachers for skill improvement and endorsement requirements.

 

·              Goal #5 Provide EDU content hours for post BA students seeking emergency teaching certification

 

·              Goal #6