Office of Teacher Certification

Council of Teacher Education
Minutes

February 15, 2010

3:30-5:00pm HUB 119

1. .0     CALL TO ORDER                                                                                           Cucina

1.01 Present (Voting Members):

Megan Birch (English), Barbara Boschmans (Math), Pat Cantor (Education Department), Irene Cucina (OTC), Kim Duncan (Chemistry), Bill Haust (Art), Lynnette Lawrence (College of Graduate Studies), Pat May (Social Science), Louise McCormack (Health and Human Performances), Mary Ann McGarry (Biology), Marianne True (Education), James Whiting (Languages and Linguistics)

Present (Non voting members):

Mary Campbell (Undergraduate Studies), Mary Cornish (Education), Kelsey Donnelly (OTC), Mary Earick (Education), Lynn Johnson (Health and Human Performances), Kathleen Norris (College of Graduate Studies), Edie Patridge (College of Graduate Studies)

Absent (voting Member (s): Student Representative, Holly Oliver (Music, Theatre, Dance)

2.0       APPROVAL OF AGENDA WITH Add-ons & PERMISSION TO DEVIATE    Cucina

2.01     Request for agenda add-ons (time permitted)

(Maker: May; Second: True)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.0       APPROVAL OF CONSENSUS ITEMS

3.01          Minutes from November 2009 meeting                                                Cucina

Approved as corrected

3.02Delete PO 1020 American Government and ED 3070                           True

Social Studies and Science Curriculum and Instruction and replace with

ED3XXX: Social Studies Curriculum and Instruction and

EDXXX Science Curriculum and Instruction

Cluster II is the semester in the Childhood Studies program where candidates focus on core content knowledge, process skills and pedagogy specific to each of the four major elementary content areas: science, social studies, language arts and math.   As it stands now, language arts and mathematics curriculum and instruction courses each constitute a full 3-credit hour course.  The science and social studies curriculum is taught within the same three credit course ED 3070.

Social studies education incorporates five (5) standards-based strands including knowledge of civics, geography, NH/US history, economics, and world history and contemporary issues. Science education incorporates four (4) standards- based strands including knowledge and proficiency in earth/space science, physical science, and life science, and science process skills.  When these 9 strands are combined, the content base, instructional strategies and content-specific pedagogy demands are far too vast to be covered in what amounts to less than one full class day designated to a single science or social studies strand.  Course evaluations for ED 3070, reveal that students are aware of the strain:  for example, each semester there seem to be several complaints that not enough attention is being given to social science.  It is also to be noted that social studies is being added to the NECAP testing in New Hampshire, further highlighting our candidates’ need for proficiency in each of the strands of the social studies education standards, K-8.

An additional problem came to light during preparations for the recent state accreditation visit.   We have been relying primarily on PO 1020 American Government to give our teacher certification candidates exposure to the six areas of social science content specified by the state standards (Ed 612.04 (h)).  Communication with our colleagues in Political Science who teach that course revealed that it covers only 2 of these and part of a third.

Replacing ED 3070 and PO 1020 with two new 3000-level courses in Cluster II, one focusing on Social Science Curriculum and Instruction and one on Science Curriculum and Instruction will solve both of these problems.   The Social Science course will include the social studies content now covered by American Government plus the several strands that course does not address.  Having two separate courses, one for science and one for social science will allow the process skills and pedagogy of these two content areas to receive the same attention as the other two do.

(Maker: True; Second: Cantor)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.04     To change prerequisites of   ER 3300 Culturally Responsive Early      Cantor

Care and Education and  ER 3700 Teaching and Learning in the Primary Grade

1. We had originally intended for ER 2200 to be the prerequisite for ER 3300.  ER 3300 assumes an understanding of the constructivist theory of learning, which is introduced in ER 2200.

2.  Our analysis of NCATE program assessments has shown that students who took ERR 3700 did better on assignments in ER 3700.  Therefore, we would like to make ER3300 a prerequisite for ER 3700.  We have also written that into the section of our NCATE Report on “Using Data for Program Improvement.”

3.  Currently ER 3900 lists ERSE 3500 as a corequisite, but not vice versa.  This is an attempt to clarify the relationship between the two courses, which share a field   experience.

(Maker: Cantor; Second: True)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.05     English Curriculum Change:  Students need to earn a C or better in 4 of the 5 upper level literature classes.                                                                                 Birch

According to the NCTE/ NCATE requirements, teacher certification candidates must demonstrate knowledge of, and uses for, an extensive range of literature, which, in part, includes works representing a broad historical and contemporary spectrum of United States, British, and world, including non-Western literature. We would like to create a formal structure for assessing student knowledge.

(Maker: Birch; Second: Cantor)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

Math proposals voted together

3.06     Revise Credits for BS Math 5-8 Program                                             Donovan

3.07     Revise Credits for BS Math 7-12 Program                                            Donovan

The above two motions were voted on as a package.  The Credits for the BS Math 5-8 and BS Math 7-12 programs were reduced from 122 to 120.

(Maker: Boschmans; Second: True)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.08     Change the course description for HE3760 Planning and Implementing Health Promotion Programs to more accurately reflect the course content and requirements from:                                                                                        McCormack

Designed to give students the tools and skills they need to plan and implement health education programs in a variety of settings, schools, communities and the workplace.  Includes needs assessment, goal and objective writing, instructional strategies and resources and program implementation.  Subscription to a specific electronic portfolio. to:

This course is an introductory course to the principles of program planning and implementation of health education programs. The focus of the course will include writing objectives, lesson plans, unit/program plans, block plans, syllabi, planning in-services, reviewing agencies, health literacy, teaching strategies, and professional teaching skills. The class includes required attendance at an approved professional health education conference and a 4-8 hour experience in a school and/or health promotion setting. The student is responsible for the payment of conference fees.

Rationale: This change reflects a better description of course content and requirements.

(Maker: McCormack; Second: Birch)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.09     Change the course description for PE 3720 Motor Learning          McCormack

Designed to present information concerning the fundamental principles and concepts of motor behavior and motor learning involved in the acquisition and refinement of motor skills/abilities. Emphasizes theoretical components as well as practical applications.

Sentence to be deleted “Laboratory sessions are designed to enhance the understanding of the topics covered in lecture.” This class no longer includes laboratory sessions.

(Maker: McCormack; Second: Birch)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.10     Change  the pre-requisite for PE 3000 (Instructional                                Strategies I-Elementary) from: PE 2731; admittance into the Teacher Certification Option; minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA; and permission of the instructor to:                                                                                                                    McCormack

PE 2415, PE 2731; admittance into the Teacher Certification Option; minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA; and permission of the instructor.

Students need to have completed the PE 2415 Introduction to PE and HE Instruction course in order to be ready for the course content in PE 3000.

(Maker: McCormack; Second: Boschmans)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.11     To change the course description for PE 2550 Foundations of                                                                                                                            McCormack

Physical Education deleting the last sentence.  An introduction to the varied aspects of physical education as a profession and a career. Current issues and trends, the sub-disciplines of physical education and available career options in physical education are discussed. An orientation to curriculum is addressed.

Sentence to be deleted “Subscription to a specific electronic portfolio.”

To:

change the course description for PE 2731 Motor Development deleting the last sentence.  An examination and analysis of perceptual motor factors which affect human cognitive, psychological, social and physical development throughout the lifespan. Topics include prenatal development, patterns of growth and development, reflexes, gender differences, regression, assessment and planning for developmental movement programs.

Sentence to be deleted “Students develop/continue iWeb folios.”

Electronic portfolios are no longer required in these classes.

(Maker: McCormack; Second: McGarry)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

3.12     To change the pre-requisites for: PE 2422 (Rhythm & Dance                                                                                                                         McCormack

Fundamentals), PE 2423 (Fundamentals in Gymnastics),

PE 2424 (Net and Wall Activities), PE 2425 (Lifetime/Leisure Activities),

PE 2526 (Striking and Fielding Activities), PE 2427 (Territorial Activities to Physical Education majors and Coaching minors

These courses are required, and designed for, the teacher certification students only.  Currently, the pre-req for PE 2423 is PE/Teacher Certification or PE/PE and HE Teacher Certification, and the pre-req for all the other courses is Health & Human Performance majors and minors.  We want to change the pre-req’s on these courses to be consistent.  We also recognize that some Coaching minors may want to take some of these courses.

(Maker: McCormack; Second: Birch)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

4.0       DISCUSSION ITEMS

4.01     Exit GPA for Student Teaching                                                                     Cucina

Discussion was moved to the March CTE meeting.

4.02     Plans for Professional Development Schools                                                Cucina

The university is revisiting the possibility of using Professional Development Schools.  Irene Cucina is looking for volunteers to sit on a committee that would be involved in working with schools, and developing this program.  Plymouth is also in the process of working with Keene State to apply for a grant that would assist with these efforts.  Kathy Vestal, Mary Cornish and Mary Earick will be attending a Professional Development Conference in March.

Disposition: Anyone who would like to get involved in the university’s attempt to develop professional development school relationships is requested to let Irene Cucina know.

4.03     Developing a common American Disabilities Act (ADA) statement             McCormack

on all teacher certification syllabi Discussion as moved to the March CTE meeting.

4.04     Fingerprinting/Criminal Records Check Issues                                        Cantor

Students who work with children in field experiences are subject to New Hampshire law, which requires all persons who come into contact with children/students on a regular basis for a period of time to undergo a full disclosure criminal records check, including fingerprinting. The cost to an individual for a fingerprinting and criminal record check currently ranges from around $27.00 to $38.00, depending on whether it is done at one of six digital stations in NH or through local police departments. (There may also be an additional service charge at police departments.) This requirement affects Early Childhood Studies majors who will be completing field experiences at child care centers and public school placements.

As of January 2010, NH State Law RSA 170-E:7(c) requires that all child care personnel ages 17 and over who spend more than 5 hours per work with children must be fingerprinted and have a criminal background check. This includes students in field experiences and practicums for more than 5 hours per week. Students should be prepared to complete this requirement prior to beginning any field experience or practicum of five hours a week or more at the Center for Young Children and Families or another child care program site. Each new site will require a separate fingerprinting and background check. Further information is available from the NH State Child Care Licensing Unit at http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/BCCL/fingerprint.htm.
One possibility would be to hold an on campus finger printing day sponsored by the campus police a couple times a semester.  The drawback of this was that our students would still have to pay a $20.00 service fee.  This discussion also prompted the following motion:

Motion: To take the statement that is already in the Teacher Education section of the catalog regarding finger printing and inserting it into each teacher education program’s catalog statement.

(Maker: Boschmans; Second: May)

MOTION APPROVED 12-0-0 (2 absent)

5.0              OLD BUSINESS/ANNOUNCEMENTS                                     Cucina

5.01    Planning and Timeline for NCATE

At this time, all NCATE reports were due on 1/29/10. Final reports will all be submitted by Friday 3/12/10.  By 4/15/10 (may be a bit later) program reviewers will review each program and by June, and audit committee will review the reviewer’s report.  They have to come to an agreement; you will be met, met with conditions or not met.  If you have not met with conditions, on one or more of the standards, you can try to resubmit.  If there are conditions that need adjusting, then only amend what that say at end of the report, nothing more.

There is stipend money available for work done over the summer.

At the state level, there has been a committee put together to compare the data that is collected from the state and NCATE, so that in the future there won’t be a need for two large reports.

Programs that are on probation from the state review are not submitting NCATE reports until they have received full approval from state.

Irene congratulated the council on a successful state visit.

6.0              MOTION TO ADJOURN                                                            Cucina