Meeting Minutes: Committee on Educator Preparation
Minutes of the University System of Georgia
Educator Preparation Academic Advisory Committee Meeting
May 27, 2005, Macon State College Rehearsal Hall, Theatre/Arts Complex
Members attending: Ron Colarusso, Virginia Michelich, Mary Ellen Wilson, Carol J. Rychly, Mark Finlay, Douglas Tuech, Mary Gendernalik Cooper, Jane McHaney, Thomas Harrison, Ellen Roberts, Tina Butcher, Jennie Rakestraw , Sue Wilson, Caroline Helms, Virginia Carson, Derek Mpinga, Tim Goodman, Wendy Kennedy, Mary Edwards, Norm Presse, Theirry Leger, Larnell Flannagan, Barbara Frizzell, Linda Calendrillo, Phil Gunter, Kent Layton, Richard Oates, Julius Scipio, David Sabatino, Richard Harrison, Robert Parham, Beth Rushing, Bill Wysochansky, Nicholas Oppong, Mary Ann Fitzgerald, Yiping Wan, Surendra Pandey, Linda Irwin-DeVitis, Hugh Ruppersburg, Michael Stoy, Trish Paterson, Sara Connor, Jan Kettlewell.
Visitors attending: Jessica Somers, BOR Advanced Learning Technologies, and Neil Rigole, Teacher Career Center
Welcome, introductions: EPAAC Chairman Ron Colarusso called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Introductions followed. Members were given packets containing the agenda and related documents. The minutes of the December 3, 2004, meeting were approved as written.
Bylaws recommendation: R. Colarusso reviewed a recommendation and motion made by Linda Noble at the Executive Committee meeting and sent to EPAAC members via e-mail. It stated that the Bylaws should be changed to indicate that ex-officio members are not among those who are designated as voters on EPAAC issues and actions. M. Gendernalik Cooper seconded the motion, and it passed with a show of hands vote.
Area F:
- R. Colarusso summarized what was agreed to at the December meeting regarding Area F. When there is consensus, it will be sent forward to the Regents Administrative Committee on Academic Affairs. All levels of education programs will have the same nine hours of professional education courses.
- V. Michelich reported on the ongoing development of P-5 science courses. Her committee suggests that course prefixes should be ISCI, indicating an integrated (as opposed to a lecture/lab) approach, along with either arts and science faculty or science education faculty qualified to teach. Two three-hour courses are proposed – physical science and life science, with earth science and meteorology interwoven in both. Discussion followed, and Virginia will take back the points made to her committee. She will also seek input from the Academic Advisory Committees for Chemistry and Biology.
- R. Colarusso stated that the P-5 math course committee, chaired by Rob Gingras, will convene in June 2005 and will have a report at the Fall EPAAC meeting.
- Regarding Middle Grades courses in academic concentrations, M. Gendernalik Cooper said that five content panels (English, Math, Social Studies, Science, and Reading) will be established to look at Georgia Performance Standards and outcomes, and will craft area courses in the disciplines. Issues about staffing, low enrollment in middle grades majors, and rigor of course content were raised by several members. EPAAC members were asked to send names of representatives to serve on these panels to mgcooper@canes.gsw.edu.
- J. Kettlewell gave a status report on the development of nine hours of professional education courses. The three course concepts will focus on education issues, diversity, and learning/the learner. A report should be ready for the December 2005 EPAAC meeting. Some confusion remains about the PSC-required special education course for certification. Training sessions or packets for those who will teach the courses are planned. At the request of EPAAC, the committee will look at types of credentials of faculty members qualified to teach these courses. Field experience hours will continue to be required. J. Somers offered support from the office of Advanced Learning Technologies to pursue on-line/technologically based classes.
Educator Preparation Data Marts: As Mark Pevey was not at today's meeting, R. Colarusso briefly described the value of the Data Marts which will be implemented in July 2005.
Unit Assessment Committee Report: Jane McHaney referred EPAAC members to the Feb. 17, 2005, memo and chart in the meeting packet. The memo proposed that documents required for reporting (NCATE Institutional Report, BOR Board of Examiners Report, and PSC Board of Examiners Report) be formatted into a uniform report submitted on a reviewing cycle. The committee will continue to meet and work out details, with input encouraged from those who recently underwent reviews.
Plans for moving forward to Double the Number, Double the Diversity of Teachers Prepared in the University System of Georgia: While the Board of Regents showed unanimous support of the Double/Double plan, no funds were allotted for its implementation in the FY 06 budget. J. Kettlewell will again seek a funding enhancement for the plan in FY 07.
- T. Paterson reported on the increased communication and identification of gaps which resulted from meetings of the Georgia Committee on Quality Teaching. Representatives are from the BOR, PSC, OSA, Governor's Office, and others. Retention of teachers is a major focus of the group; she said results of a pilot survey on school environments are available at www.QLTE.org.
- Of the 10 Double/Double strategies in the plan, three were recommended for implementation in the near future:
- Strategy 3: Expanded Roles/Responsibilities of Two-Year Colleges – EPAAC members felt a Fall 05 conference of two- and four-year partners to design plans would be helpful. It would replace the P-16 conference. Conference planning committee volunteers included V. Michelich, R. Colarusso, Derrick Mpinga, and H. Ruppersburg, with J. Kettlewell as chair.
- Strategy 5: Increased emphasis on Pre-K Teachers – Several factors point to the need for University System colleges to develop a degree program for birth – age 5. (See 4/27/05 Draft Concept Plan in packet). First, PSC decided to offer a Baccalaureate level certificate for teachers of this age group. Secondly, DTAE already has a two-year program of this type; two year colleges could offer an associate degree for ages 0-5 as well. Third, the Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) was established from the former Office of School Readiness. Finally, the corporate community is strongly supporting this strategy, to the extent they will commit funds for Early Childhood Education Centers. These centers could serve children and double as laboratories for preservice teachers in the major. After discussion, it was decided that a consortium of faculty members recommended by EPAAC would meet in Fall 05 to begin a statewide plan. In the meantime, individual colleges can move forward as they see fit (Kennesaw, GSU, and West Georgia are already working on this). Several members cautioned that many DTAE colleges do not have an A-E core and faculty members' credentials may not meet SACS standards. C. Helms requested that the concept plan be presented to the Academic Vice Presidents for their input in the near future. EPAAC members supported this request.
- Strategy 8: On Line Programs, Consortia, and Flexible Scheduling – Institutions already included in a consortium to implement this strategy are Armstrong Atlantic State University, Augusta State University, Georgia College & State University, North Georgia College & State University, Valdosta State University, Albany State University, Dalton State College, Fort Valley State University, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia. EPAAC members added the following: West Georgia College, Georgia Southern University, Georgia Highlands College, and Middle Georgia College.
Follow-up to conferences on Georgia Performance Standards:
- EPAAC supported the plan for an 8-session faculty institute during FY 06 focusing on performance assessment. The cohort would consist of 2-3 faculty members from each teacher preparation institution and one faculty member from each two year college.
- Backward mapping: A sign-up sheet was passed around for EPAAC members to indicate interest in analyzing teacher preparation programs in terms of how effectively they equip students to teach the Georgia Performance Standards. A small grant of $4,000- $5,000 per campus would help support this effort.
- Joint Conference for Education Faculty that Prepare Teachers, Leaders, and Counselors: EPAAC members recognized this as a means to help support implementation of the Georgia Performance Standards. It will be scheduled for Spring 06. P. Gunter suggested that school system personnel in corresponding roles be included as well.
Summary of meeting with Professional Standards Commission by R. Colarusso:
- Less than 10 data points were suggested to PSC which could provide relevant information needed for oversight of programs on an annual basis.
- Rules for special education certification have changed. Special education teachers will now be required to hold certification in a content area if responsible for teaching that subject (as a result of NCLB).
- The Master Teacher concept is developing and will lead to a form of an academic coaching model.
- Teachers with National Board Certification will get 10% pay increase/year only if working in schools that "Need Improvement."
- The State of Georgia will provide liability coverage for teachers and preservice teachers who are student teaching. R. Colarusso will check to see if students completing field experience requirements prior to student teaching will also be eligible for coverage. Individuals should continue to consider the overall value of membership in a professional organization as well.
- The PSC is contracting with National Evaluation Systems to develop and offer tests to replace Praxis. A new basic skills test is to be completed to replace Praxis I by Fall 06. A test development committee will be appointed to provide input. There will be an online study guide and online registration, with five tests per year and better feedback to colleges on their students' results.
- Leadership issues – a date when currently approved programs for preparing educational leaders will be set, resulting in sunsetting of all programs. Institutions wanting to continue with educational leadership training will have to reapply to do so.
Other business: T. Harrison expressed concern regarding review of reciprocity agreements. He will provide further information in a future e-mail.
Election of EPAAC Officers for 2005-2006
Chair (currently chair elect): Virginia Michelich, Georgia Perimeter College
Chair Elected: Robert Parham, Augusta State University
Secretary: Virginia Carson, Georgia Highlands College
Representative of Deans of Education: Ken Layton, West Georgia College
Representative of Deans of Arts and Sciences: Ed Wheeler, Armstrong Atlantic State University
Representative of Two-year Colleges: Derrick Mpinga, Waycross College
The Fall meeting of EPAAC will be held in December; exact date to be announced.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan M. Wilson
EPAAC Secretary