Graduate Programs Committee (GPC)

University of South Florida COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Graduate Programs Committee (GPC) Friday, February 9, 2007

Members Present: Bethany Bell (Student Representative), Michael Berson (Chair), Rod Evans, Wilma Henry, Connie Hines, Jan Ignash, Valerie Janesick, Jeannie Kleinhammer-Tramill, Jenifer Schneider, Lenford Sutton

Members Absent: Candi Ashley

Ex-Officios Present: Ann Cranston-Gingras, Harold Keller

Attendees: Diane Briscoe, Rae Clark, Patricia Pekovsky, Miranda Sloan, Tanya Viera, Rebecca Wilkins

WELCOME

Michael Berson, Chair, called the Graduate Programs Committee meeting to order at 9:40 am on Friday, February 9, 2007. The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and extended his gratitude for all the hard work that has been completed on this committee.

MINUTES

A motion to approve the January minutes as written was made by Rod Evans, Valerie Janesick seconded, and the minutes stand approved.

SPECIAL GUESTS

Michael Berson introduced special guests, Pat Pekovsky, Director of International Admissions and, Tanya Viera, International Graduate Admissions Officer Processing Manager, who attended the meeting to find out the best ways their office could assist faculty and staff.

The normal protocol on forwarding a student’s application to a college from International Admissions is done only after everything on the application has been verified. Each file should include official transcripts, letters of recommendations, a writing sample, an evaluation of credentials, an invitation, and interview results. There is now an electronic GAR (admission’s application) form and the Developmental Office personnel are scanning everything onto the Oasis System.

Some issues the faculty raised were (1) GAR form takes was too long for students to check on scholarship(s); (2) TOEFL requirements - students without TOEFL scores may have them waived, but to do so, must attend the English Language Institute (ELI) to get a waiver letter. In some cases, they will waive the TOEFL scores if a college requests they do so; (3) Do not like receiving MIPs (Missing Item Packet); and, (4) should not admit students until all transcripts are verified (i.e., it is with great difficulty official transcripts for students from Africa are obtained.) Students with unsubstantiated documents are given a “provisional” admission and, if the official documentations are not received by the second semester, their admission is rescinded. University of South Florida COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Questions to be considered:

(1) Should students be admitted without official transcripts and an evaluation completed on the unofficial transcripts? (2) Should students be admitted without TOEFL scores? (3) Should students be admitted without having their transcripts translated (courses from the transcript should be equivalent to courses required at USF) for programs and have equivalent hours? (4) Should TOEFL scores be waived by a program if proper documentation is submitted?

 It should be noted that most international students are being supported by their government and not by their parents;  It’s quite normal for the students’ government to select their majors;  Students with low scores on TOEFL are referred to the English Language Institute (ELI);  ELI prepares international students to take tests (SAT, GMAT, GRE, and TOEFL);  An articulation agreement with European countries allow students to receive a degree in only three (3) years (i.e., England – students often graduate from high school with thirteen (13) years which is the equivalent of having high school plus one year college) courses/credits must be equivalent to the college required courses.

Faculty asked if there was a check list or guide Colleges might use when considering accepting an international student. Tanya Viera wanted to know if it would be beneficial for the college to receive a report from her office listing all students who are waiting for items to arrive as a pre- requisite for entering the COEDU? It was agreed that she would send a copy of this report over to Diane Briscoe, Director, Student Academic Services, who in turn will forward it on to Departmental Coordinators. Pat Pevosky will return to the GPC for the April 6, 2007 meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

The following documents were disseminated to the GPC members for review prior to next month’s meeting:

Special Education – course title change – Daphne Thomas Educating Students with Autism……………………………………………...EED 6246

Jeannie Kleinhammer-Tramill moved to approve this course and it was passed by acclamation.

Secondary Education – new course – Joan Kaywell Teaching Reading in English Class………………………………………...…LAE 6738

It was requested that the Teaching Reading in English Class to be tabled until the April meeting. University of South Florida COLLEGE OF EDUCATION Secondary Education – new course – Phil Smith Cross-Cultural Issues in Teaching ESOL…………………………………….FLE 6167

Secondary Education – new course – Phil Smith Instructional Materials Development & Modification for Teaching ESOL..FLE 6433

The sub-committee for the ESOL courses needed some revisions and asked that it be tabled until the April meeting.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS

Secondary Education – new course – Jane Applegate (sub-committee: Connie Hines and Jenifer Schneider) Classroom Communication in English Education…………………….LAE 5640

Secondary Education – Programs changes – Rick Austin (sub-committee: Len Sutton and Rod Evans) MAT in Mathematics Education (6-12) MAT in Mathematics Education (5-9)

Secondary Education – new courses – Phil Smith (sub-committee: Wilma Henry and Jan Ignash) Applied Linguistics for Teaching ESOL………..……………………..FLE 6367 Assessment & Progress Management for Teaching ESOL…………....FLE 6434 Instructional Methods & Strategies for Teaching ESOL………………FLE 6371

PE, Wellness & Sports Studies – new course – Stephen Sanders (sub-committee: Valerie Janesick and Michael Berson) Instructional Design & Content: Dance & Gymnastics……………….PED 6444 Instructional Design & Content: Games……………………………....PED 6433 Analysis of Research in Physical Education…………………………..PED 6706 Learner Assessment in School Based Physical Education…………….PED 6512 Analysis of Teaching in Physical Education…………………………..PED 6716

Psychological and Social Foundations – new course – Lisa Lopez (sub-committee: Candi Ashley and Valerie Janesick) The Psychology of Oral and Written Language Development………..EDF 7218

Doctoral Degrees

The GPC was asked to review the new university doctoral policy (4-4) for doctoral students. The university thought it would be more efficient for students to complete their degrees in 8 years and more in line on how a world class university would be viewed. There were mixed feelings among faculty. Adult, Career, and Higher Education (ACHE) believe their students are full-time career and family professionals and they need the extra time to complete their studies. ACHE has a couple of options if they want to be the exception to the rule. (1) They could draft a “rationale” explaining the differences of their students in the university population; or, (2) accept the 4-4 and file extensions for their students as and when needed. University of South Florida COLLEGE OF EDUCATION A vote was taken on this matter and the results were as follows:

ACHE 5-5 Ed. Measurement 4-4 DELPS 4-4 PE, Wellness absent Childhood 4-4 Psych & Social 4-4 Secondary Ed. 4-4 Special Ed. 4-4

The consensus was in favor of the new doctoral requirement to reduce the amount of time in which to acquire a doctoral degree.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 Bekki Wilkins will send a copy of the GPC membership list with terms. Chairs will be notified to elect replacement representatives for those completing their terms on the GPC. The current representatives should get their replacement’s name and bring it to the next and final meeting.  The UPC Forums announced last month have been cancelled to allow time for Departments to discuss the flexibility of State Rule 6A – 5.066 which governs all teacher preparation programs.  Ann Cranston-Gingras, Faculty Council Chair, is meeting with Departmental Chairs in an effort to develop an Ad Hoc Committee to Study Implications of State Board Rule 6A- 5.066.  Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Harold Keller, announced additional monies ($75,000) had been received for fall and will go toward paying Graduate Assistants more competitive salaries.  Notice of the Summer Qualifying Exams was disseminated to the committee who are to take them back to their departments for review.  Miranda Sloan, SAS Graduate Counselor, announced an upcoming Graduate Orientation (see attached).

Next Meeting Date

The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 6, 2007 in EDU 219 at 9:30 am.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:10 am.