College of Education
Leadership Council
August 6, 2020
9:00 – 10:30 am
Agenda
Zoom
In attendance: David Hough, Russ Brock, Jef Cornelius-White, Denise Cunningham, Kim Dubree, Janice Duncan, Karen Engler, Stephanie Huffman, Travis Marler, Juli Panza, Barri Tinkler, Rose Lee, Sharon Lopinot
Dean Hough welcomed everyone. Karen Engler provided a draft MSU EPP Field Experiences Taskforce – FA2020 Recommendations document that was emailed to everyone for review and discussion. The Dean started by saying there needed to be a lead in paragraph, “College of Education Guidelines for Field and Clinical Student Placements for Fall 2020”, stating that students will have two options for their field/clinical experiences for the Fall semester. One would be a traditional in person placement, and the other would be a virtual. There then needs to be a description of what both would entail. Students will need to make a decision and discuss this with their supervisor. Students can follow what their assigned school district is doing, but they need to have options available to them. A discussion followed. Denise has been contacted by parents and students regarding the plans. Juli said there are many rumors out there and we do need to send something to clarify options with all students involved.
Denise, Kim and Juli will work on an introductory paragraph for the document. The Dean expressed appreciation to the EPP Task Force that worked hard over the past two months to develop recommended options. Once approved by the LC, the statement will be posted on the COE website and attached to the “Our Finest Hour” which will go out later today. Kim will email the document to student teachers, cooperating teachers, and school districts involved. Students being placed for practicums will also be sent the document, but at a later date. Department heads will communicate to their faculty. Karen will share the information with secondary faculty. Karen stated that the Task Force was formed because of all that is going on with COVID-19 to make sure students had a choice of what they could do and weren’t forced in to anything. There was a strong push for virtual.
President Smart held a Town Hall for faculty and staff yesterday and is having one today for students and parents.
The main topic of most meetings the Dean has been participating in are regarding the number of faculty and staff who have day care problems due to school district class schedules. COE staff are encouraged to work out a plan with their immediate supervisor, then the Dean will review and approve. Regarding staff, the Dean asked members how many staff have contacted them regarding children who will be at home.
- Russ: Some districts want their staff to present in person, others virtually. If in person, masks are worn and social distancing is followed. Currently all of their professional developers are in and out of their offices. Most work from home but come in to pick up materials. He has heard from DESE that some school districts do not want student teachers. The districts in our area all want them. There is a big challenge to get enough substitutes. DESE is working on a plan for substitutes that would allow people to substitute after completing twenty hours of training. This will be presented to the state board for approval at their next meeting.
- Janice: They do not have any staff with children at home.
- Travis: He is working from home effectively.
- Kim: She has had two requests.
- Juli: No requests, but has one person concerned about being in the office. After classes start, the advisors will work through Zoom.
Dean Hough reiterated that staff can work from home if they can get their job done. Everything is being assessed day to day.
The topic of student compliances was discussed. Denise would like to see students save money by not having all of the compliances enforced for Fall semester. She made a motion that students do not need to complete the following compliances this fall semester if in a virtual assignment:
- TB skin test
- Background check
- Professional Liability Insurance
Discussion:
- Students need a background no matter what. Some could end up substituting or tutoring.
- TB skin test needs to be completed if they will be with anyone in person.
- Should probably have professional liability insurance. They could be sued for comments made online.
Jef made a second motion to waive the requirement for the TB skin test for students Fall 2020 semester only if students are completely virtual. This is for practicums and student teaching. A vote was taken and there was only one dissent. The remainder approved the motion. Dean Hough asked Karen to run this by Chris Craig and general counsel to make sure there aren’t any problems with it and to get back to him before it could be enacted. If approved, program coordinators will need to give John Reinert a list of students who would not be required to have the TB skin test.
Rose is compiling information from the departments on memberships from last year that will be forward to the Provost Office. The Dean will work with her on the list. He reiterated that everyone needs to inform faculty that the college will not be paying for memberships or travel due to budget cuts. He did approve the MACTE institutional membership.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m. Barri, Stephanie, Jef and Denise were asked to stay on.
Submitted by Sharon Lopinot, Executive Assistant II