ELEMENTARY EDUCATION COORDINATING COMMITTEE September 15, 2011 8:00 a.m.

Dr. Becky Brannock, Steve Brown, Patty Clay, Dr. Jean Dockers, Dr. Gloria Flynn, Dr. Susan Knell, Dr. Pam Sells, Dr. Kathy Spillman, Amber Tankersley, Dr. Ray Willard and Dr. Marti York attended the meeting. Ex-officio member in attendance was Dr. Alice Sagehorn.

Dr. Dockers welcomed the committee to its first meeting. She shared that the committee was a result of the fall 2010 NCATE visit. It became clear that there was only an oversight committee for secondary/PK-12 programs. As a result, the Elementary Education Coordinating Committee was formed as well as the Advanced Programs Coordinating Committee. The purpose of this committee is to provide oversight to the Early/Late Childhood K-6 and Early Childhood Unified programs.

Dr. Dockers asked committee members to join interviews for Explorations in Education and Transitions elementary education candidates. The purpose of these interviews is to provide interview practice, discover the motivation behind their decision to be a teacher, potentially identify red flags, etc. The interview will closely follow the protocol for the entry interview for Master of Arts in Teaching candidates.

A brief discussion was held on background checks for education candidates. Currently, candidates are only required to complete a disclosure statement which makes the College dependent upon their honesty. Background checks as a requirement for all candidates will be explored further at the next meeting.

A discussion was held on Submission 2 of the e-portfolio. A deadline of November 1st was proposed for those candidates that will student in spring 2012. There were no objections. Reviews of the submissions will be completed by Thanksgiving break and any resubmissions will be required prior to close of the fall semester. It was shared that Dr. Julie Samuels and Dr. Dockers will review Submission 1 for all candidates. Dr. Samuels will remain an evaluator for all elementary candidates for Submissions 2 and 3. For Submission 2, there will need to be a second reader representing elementary faculty. For spring 2012 student teaching candidates, Dr. Susan Knell, program coordinator, will serve as the second reader. A process will need to be developed for future semesters. Dr. Knell will discuss the assessment of Submission 2 with K-6 faculty and provide a report at the next meeting.

Steve Brown briefly discussed program summaries. Dr. Alice Sagehorn will work with Dr. Knell (K-6) and Amber Tankersley (ECU) to complete the program summaries.

Dr. Dockers distributed a graphic from Ball State University illustrating their assessment system. NCATE found that the PSU Assessment System is not clear. Dr. Dockers shared that a similar graphic will be created to provide an easy view of the Assessment System. It will identify sources of data, assessments, where decision are made, etc. The goal is to create a better understanding of the overall process.

The committee was asked to nominate student representatives to serve on the committee. If possible, there should be a student representative from each of the elementary programs. Committee members were asked to email names of nominees to Amanda.

Dr. Sagehorn noted that all recent changes in requirements for the Early/Late Childhood K-6 program take effect in spring 2012. These changes do not affect Early Childhood Unified majors.  Candidates must meet the Basic Skills requirement to enroll in any CURIN courses other than CURIN 261 Explorations in Education.  Candidates must successfully complete the Principles of Learning and Teaching: K-6 and Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment (content) exams prior to full admission to the Professional Semester. o For spring 2012 Professional Semester candidates only, students will be allowed to petition to CARTE to be exempt from this requirement if they are unable to meet it. This is due to the short time frame provided to students to meet the requirement.

It was noted that the K-6 program is currently evaluating course alignment using follow up survey data.

The following announcements were made:  Praxis II Changes for 2011 – 2012 o Principles of Learning and Teaching . Changed format from 12 constructed response to 70 multiple choice and 4 constructed response . New test codes: 0622 (K-6); 0621 (Early Childhood) . New cut score: 160  The Tutoring lab in B23 Hughes Hall is available to students to prepare for the PPST as well as some content exams.  Study material is also available through an app for the PLT: K-6. The link will be provided.  PSU now has a Future Educators Association chapter. It is open to all BSE/BME candidates as well as faculty. Please contact Dr. Julie Samuels for more information.

The next meeting will be Thursday, October 13th at 8:00 a.m. It will be held in 126 Hughes Hall.