MISSION AND STANDARDS
Mission    
Conceptual Framework    
Teaching and Learning Standards    
Dispositions: Our values in action    
Assessment: How we ensure quality    

 

Mission

The mission of the School of Education is the development of educators and health professionals to lead a diverse community of learners toward an understanding of and active participation in a highly complex world.

In cooperation with other academic departments, the School of Education provides teacher certification programs (approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education) for students who seek to become certified teachers in secondary schools. This option is available for students who major in biology, chemistry, classics (Latin), English, French, German, history (certification in social studies), mathematics, physics, political science (certification in social studies), sociology (certification in social studies), and Spanish.

Courses that lead to additional certification in early childhood education and middle level education are offered in combination with the elementary education approved programs. Students interested in a teacher education program should contact the director of certification and clinical practice to declare a major/minor and to complete a program of study to assure that courses taken to meet college requirements will also meet the requirements for the teacher education program.

Conceptual Framework

Our vision is to be a community of diverse teacher leaders who ensure exemplary learning and wellness opportunities for all individuals. These opportunities are created by professionals who can MAKE THE TEACHING - LEARNING CONNECTION through:

  • Understanding and valuing the learner;
  • Knowing what and how to teach and assess and how to create an environment in which learning occurs;
  • Understanding ourselves as professionals.
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Teaching and Learning Standards

  • Standard I:
    Evidence theoretical and practical understanding of the ways learners develop.
  • Standard II:
    Demonstrate understanding and application of the critical attributes and pedagogy of the major content area.
  • Standard III:
    Evidence a variety of strategies that optimize student learning.
  • Standard IV:
    Participate in informed personal and shared decision making that has as its focus the enhancement of schooling and the profession.
  • Standard V:
    Communicate effectively with students, parents, colleagues and the community.
  • Standard VI:
    Demonstrate an understanding of the continuous nature of assessment and its role in facilitating learning.
  • Standard VII:
    Show an understanding of the culture and organization of schools and school systems and their connections to the larger society.
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Dispositions: Our values in action

  • We believe that all students can learn.
  • We value and respect individual differences.
  • We value positive human interactions.
  • We exhibit and encourage intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm about learning, and a willingness to learn new ideas.
  • We are committed to inquiry, reflection and self-assessment.
  • We value collaborative and cooperative work.
  • We are sensitive to community and cultural context.
  • We engage in responsible and ethical practice.
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Assessment: How we ensure quality

We ensure that our programs and graduates are of the highest quality through the use of planned assessment that is embedded throughout our programs. Data are collected, analyzed, and used to improve our unit and program.

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