The direction for the COE and the COE Budget Committee has changed since Governor Nixon’s State of the State Speech, January 19. The Executive Budget Committee has issued new guidelines and targets to the collegiate budget committees. These new guidelines are available on the web. For the COE it means that work done so far this year will allow the COE Budget Committee to evolve into a planning for the future committee. These new directions also gives us some additional time to develop our plans.

I wanted to outline a process we will use as we move forward with these new guidelines. On Thursday, January 27, 2011 I will be meeting with the department heads to discuss the concept of “Decisions for Distinctiveness”. As President Cofer explained we are looking for initiatives that will make Missouri State University unique. In 2005 MSU was given a state-wide mission of public affairs. MSU graduates more teacher educators in this state than any other Missouri college or university. While that fact makes us unique from a numbers perspective, what initiative or initiatives will contribute to our positive reputation and quality of our graduates, while also meeting our public affairs mission.

After the department heads discuss some possible initiatives, I will ask them to share these ideas with their faculty and to solicit some additional initiatives. Then in early February we will call another COE Budget Committee meeting and start the process of vetting these ideas. I consider this opportunity an excellent one to reallocate 2% of our current budget towards one or more initiatives that will make a difference in teacher preparation and ultimately P-12 student learning. Initiatives that are interdisciplinary may also garner some matching funds from the President.

I anticipate the 2% (approximately $200,000) will primarily come from retirements, resignations, and more efficient use of per course funds.

The Educational Field Experiences (EFE) team, with lots of technical help from Scott Fiedler, has made great improvements to the College of Education’s website. Although it is still under construction, important Information and links are now available to current and future student teachers, university supervisors, cooperating teachers and other interested individuals. Check us out at: http://education.missouristate.edu/services/efe/

EFE staff presented three Student Teaching Information Meetings for prospective Fall 2010 student teachers the first week of February. The meetings were well-attended, and students were given “everything you wanted to know” reference handouts. Students were able to have their questions answered about the student teaching placement process and teacher certification.

This spring semester 2010 practicums are being finalized, the staff began processing student teaching placements for Fall. We have gone green! Placement requests are now e-mailed to school districts (instead of mailed or faxed), and include student teacher “e-packets.” The e-packets include scanned copies of all of the necessary documentation required by school districts, including student teaching application, transcript, tb test, professional liability insurance, and background check clearance. Out-of-area student teachers are required to submit additional documents, which vary by district, but can include resume, educational philosophy, letters of reference,and MSHP/MDSS background check. Some districts require that a prospective student teacher complete an online survey, while other districts require face to face interviews with district officials prior to approval.

News in TEA

*TEA is expanding for the 2010-11 school year to twelve Springfield Public Schools with the addition of Bingham Elementary to the Evangel University partner group.

*This spring TEA is planning to bring fifth graders from Bowerman, Williams and Westport and a select group from Reed Middle School for campus tours.

Literacy Center News

*Under Laubach, the Literacy Center is presenting in cooperation with Administrators from the Ava School District, at the Ava Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Tuesday, June 13th. It will be regarding the success of the program at the school and the potential for an adult literacy offering through the school for the community. Training in the use of Laubach Way to Reading is being scheduled in June for community volunteers who will help with the program in Ava Middle and High School in the summer and fall.

* Dr. Rosa Maria Mejia and Dr. Rebecca Swearingen organized two census workshops in Verona, Missouri. Students from ELE 410, SPN 305 and L.E.A.L. (Leading in Education to Approach Latinos) accompanied Drs. Mejia and Swearingen on trips to Verona on March 20 and March 27. Hispanic families from the Verona area were invited to Sacred Heart Catholic Church to receive assistance in filling out census forms. Spanish speaking students worked one-on-one with families to fill out the forms. ELE 410 students worked with children as parents filled out the form. This was part of a Community Engagement project required in Dr. Swearingen’s ELE 410 class.

* The Missouri Staff Development Council informed named Suzy Cutbirth to receive the Missouri Staff Development Council 2010 Vision Award. Suzy was honored at the Show-Me Conference Brunch Tuesday, March 16. This honor is given to leaders in professional development who meet and exceed national standards for high quality staff development.

* Denise Cunningham was published in the Spring 2010 volume of The Journal of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, “Early Years”.  Her article titled, “Interactive Book Reading: Parents and Children as Literacy Partners” focused on parents playing an important role in home literacy which leads to school success.

*Congratulations to Dr. Denise Cunningham and Dr. Joan Test for their recent appointments
to the Graduate Faculty.

* CEFS Promotion and tenure awards:
-Kathy Bernet promotion to Senior Instructor
-Sabrina Brinson granted tenure
-Denise Cunningham granted tenure and promoted to Associate Professor

Update on the Science Scholars’ Labratory and Locker Room Projects:

President Nietzel has approved the Science Scholars’ Laboratory project at the $1.83M project budget level! This $1.83M project budget includes the construction of the NEW SCIENCE WING (the Science Scholars’ Laboratory) and is inclusive of the construction, professional costs, telephone/data wiring, and the furniture, fixtures, and equipment. Our fund raising goal is still $2.5M. Once we raise the $1.83M for the new Science Scholars’ Laboratory, the architects will let us know the projected cost of renovation of the current biology and chemistry lab that would be used for the elementary classes. Any overage of the fundraising for the Science Scholars’ Lab and the renovated elementary labs, would go toward academic enhancements. $1.2M in cash for the Science Scholars’ Lab has already been raised with an additional $142,000 in pledges for the project. In attempt to bring the bottom line down fundraisers are exploring all Foundations, grants, and gifts in kind (example, gifts of concrete) that would replace some of the construction costs. 

The Greenwood family has been incredibly excited and supportive regarding this project! Greenwood alumni, friends, parents, grandparents, and students have already really stepped forward with ideas, input and their pocketbooks. Dean Kear, Dean Jahnke, and Dr. Duncan are very dedicated to use this space to academically enhance the student experience. It will still be about six weeks before there is a floor plan to view.

The architects have also viewed the locker room and have been given all of the parameters of improving the space. The next phase will be for the architects to get some preliminary design work completed that will help them determine the budget requirements. Some of the issues that have been discussed include plumbing, electrical, flooring, ventilation and many other issues.

Mary Norman, Miranda Harris, and Jennifer Machin will all be attending the 23rd Annual Person-Centered International Workshop in Warm Springs, Georgia in March 2010 with Dr. Jef Cornelius-White.  All students will be making presentations at the conference.

Tara Forrester will be attending the 9th International Conference on Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counseling (PCE Conference 2010).  This year’s theme is Empowerment: The Politics of the Helping Relationship which will take place in Rome, Italy in June/July 2010. She will be presenting at that conference with Dr. Jef Cornelius-White.

The Hispanic Initiative Program has an ongoing partnership with the Monett and Verona Public School District. The purpose of this partnership is to immerse Missouri State University students in diverse cultural settings, while providing maximum benefits to the Hispanic students in the University’s service area. Missouri State students benefit from this program because they acquire practical experience with Hispanic students in the classroom which leads to better serve Hispanic students and address their educational needs in the future. This program is open to elementary and secondary students as well as Citizenship and Service Learning (CASL) students and volunteers.

 Verona is a K-12 school district where Missouri State students tutor and mentor at both the elementary and secondary levels. Some Verona students are making important choices and building goals for their future at this time in their lives. An example of a Verona student inspired by Missouri State students is Julio Martinez, a first generation college student.  Julio reflected on his experience with the program, “When I was a senior in high school, a group of students from MSU came to talk to us about college and how important it was. The Hispanic Initiative has provided me the opportunity to volunteer at Verona as a mentor and talk to the community about a college education.  I couldn’t believe how well I was received when I went back, it’s an amazing feeling that I will forever cherish.” 

 In Monett, the Missouri State students tutor and mentor at the high school level. These students offer academic assistance and positive role modeling for the Monett students. Martha Rueda, an alumnus of Monett High School, had the benefit of participating in the many activities that occurred through the Hispanic Initiative Program which encouraged her to attend Missouri State University. The Initiative made a big difference in Martha’s college career path. Now, other young women are following in the path that Martha treaded as she shared her college experiences with high school students and parents.  Martha reflected, “I present to the Hispanic community because I want to help out. I want others to have the same opportunity that I had. I want them to experience what I have experienced and to be successful.” 

 The tutoring and mentoring provided to Monett and Verona students by the Hispanic Initiative has motivated several students to attend Missouri State University after their high school graduation. Upon completion of their college degrees, there are various students continuing to pursue their Master’s degrees. Through the Hispanic Initiative Program, Missouri State University supports cultural diversity and higher education for Hispanic communities.

Ozarks Educational Research Initiative (OERI). This month the OERI-SPED project is focusing on Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) data analysis within each district to assess the areas of student achievement strength and weakness in communication arts Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for middle grade LD students.  This information will be used to locate best practices across and within districts that can be shared as well as to identify areas for improvement.  An action plan will be constructed for the continuous improvement of  middle grade LD students achievement both within and across member districts.  Plans for April 2010 OERI Advisory Council meeting also are underway.  This is a quarterly meeting where superintendents from each of the eleven participating districts come together to hear project updates, to discuss upcoming opportunities, and jointly future activities for the collaboration. Tess Hagg is the Graduate Assistant working with the OERI.

Enhancing Children’s Healthy Opportunities (ECHO) Project. The ECHO project is currently planning to create a video to increase public awareness of the effects of poverty and the challenges for high-poverty schools. In addition to the educational purpose of the video, our intent is to increase commitment and involvement in supporting school efforts through effective interventions for students, teachers, parents, and principals. During this fourth year of the five-year ECHO project, we also are currently further developing and implementing an evaluation plan for assessing project impact on positive student behavior and academic achievement. In addition to documenting project impact, the evaluation provides formative feedback for project improvement while it is in progress. Diamond Jones is the Graduate Assistant working with the ECHO Project.

 Evaluation Plan for Teacher Education Alliance. In conjunction with the College of Education Dean’s Office and partner institutions in the Teacher Education Alliance (TEA)—Baptist Bible College, Drury University, Evangel University, and the Springfield Public Schools—the Institute has helped construct an evaluation plan for assessing impact of the four teacher education programs and for providing feedback for program improvement. Part of this effort has involved reviewing published research findings and syntheses of research findings on the relationships among teacher education program variables, teacher candidate characteristics (including knowledge, skills, and dispositions), teacher candidate and beginning teacher practices, and student outcomes. Amanda Pickard is the Graduate Assistant working with the TEA and related research.

NCATE and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) have notified us that our onsite review will take place between November 12-16, 2011.  In preparation for that review the NCATE process continues with the Transformation Initiative proposal sent to NCATE representing a partnership between Springfield School District, Baptist Bible College, Drury University, Evangel University and Missouri State University.  The focus of this collaboration is on the NCATE Standard 3 “Field Experiences and Clinical Practice” and Standard 4 “Diversity”.  The intent is to have each higher education institution achieve a “Target” level of achievement over the next three to five years.  The project is called a Teacher Education Alliance (TEA) and the proposal to NCATE noted that this project was, “partially funded through a grant from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO).  Missouri State University is the first of the collaborating institutions to undergo accreditation review using the new Transformation Initiative option.

The dual purpose of the TEA is to (a) enhance educator preparation and (b) meet the needs of high-poverty schools.  For the purposes of our Transformation Initiative, a high-poverty school is defined as one in which 70% or more of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch (FRL). The commitments of the Teacher Education Alliance are based on the following premise:  ‘If we are to prepare high-quality educators to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s schools, we must transform schools of education so that improving school practice is at the core of our collective work’ (Jacobson, et al., 1998, p. 143)… Our joint pilot effort is designed as a model to exercise leadership for both transforming educator preparation and improving P-12 student learning.  Our partnership initially will be with the Springfield Public Schools (SPS)… and in the future with other urban, suburban and rural schools to transform teacher preparation at the initial certification level and at advanced levels for counselors and school administrators.”

During this past month we were alerted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Dr. David Adams, about a reminder that, “the 2006 revision to (Missouri  Standards for Teacher Education Programs) MoSTEP removed the language that appeared to require candidates’ portfolios.  This was replaced with language (in) MoSTEP Standard 2 and Standard 3 regarding ‘clearly identified, valid, fair, and non-biased assessment system.”  The MoSTEP team will be reviewing data from your Unit and programs assessment system.  MoSTEP will not review/grade portfolios or Teacher Work Samples (TWS).  They must be able to review rubrics used to determine scores…”  This places additional responsibility on all programs to determine clearly the 6-8 assessments for their program (see a SPA Section II format) with appropriate data and the MoSTEP  eleven (11) “Quality Indicators” have data supporting each.  Thus a reminder that we need to have all programs submit their NCATE assessments to Annice McLean(AMcLean@missouristate.edu)  or Paula Giles (PGiles@missouristate.edu) . Those programs that did not complete a SPA need to upload their information and data to the Share Point folder for the specific section(s) of the MoSTEP template.

Some highlights of the past four weeks include the following:

• Surveys to graduates and their employers were conducted in recent weeks. That information is being placed on Share Point and sent as an attachment to each Program Coordinator.
• Drafts of discussions on Transition Points (regular programs and post baccalaureate programs) required by NCATE and DESE with our institution activities
• Drafts of discussions with technology university specialists on a computer management system approach to handle Transition Point activities
•  Additional program assessments updates submitted by programs placed on the STEPS system
• Additional MoSTEP review updates  and  information submitted by programs to the Share Point system

During this academic year much effort has been made for each program to gather information and upload that material to a computer management system (Share Point) in preparation for the DESE onsite review.  Other programs submitted their Specialized Professional Associations (SPA) seeking continued national program accreditation.

 Now it is time to review the data and information collected by each program.   This early fall each program will be asked to review the data and information they have collected for calendar year 2009 including reviewing the Annual Report which has helpful information on each program currently being prepared by the Department Heads, Program Coordinators and Deans.  The review will involve each program answering a set of questions as part of an annual review process each year to focus on strengths, areas of program concerns, and recommended future action(s). In the spring of each year, starting in April and May 2011 the annual program review process will occur. Finally, beginning in the fall of 2010 each program will also be focused on writing the DESE Program Report (due May 1, 2011) taking information from the Share Point along with updated data and information collected from the spring and fall 2010 semesters.

In an effort to promote greater communication among all COE faculty and staff we will publish a blog at the beginning of each month with news and summaries of activities and noteworthy information. Please do not hesitate to comment or suggest regular entries of additional information to be shared.