Meeting Minutes: EDL Advisory Council Meeting
Date: May 26, 2024
Time: 4:00-6:00
1. Welcome and Introductions
Chairperson Todd Hackett-Slimm opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and introducing key participants, including:
Attendees: Dr. Todd Hackett-Slimm, Dr. Brown, Dr. Kae Keister, Dr. Nancy Carnevale, Dr. Leon Wilson, Dr. TJ Vari, Mr. Travis Piser, Dr. Devon Jacob
2. Writing Course Update
Todd Hackett-Slimm reviewed the council’s earlier discussion on the need for a dedicated writing course for doctoral candidates. He announced that the new course, EDL 7200: Writing for Innovation and Continuous Improvement, has been approved by the College of Education and Liberal Arts. The course is pending final approval from the University Curriculum Committee and is slated for launch in spring for cohort 34.
The course is designed to strengthen writing skills in the first year of the program and was developed with input from Dr. Carnevale and faculty who teach the action research courses.
Quote: "Writing can be an extremely powerful tool, and we’re excited that this course will become a part of the first-year curriculum."
3. AI Integration in the Doctoral Program
Discussion shifted to the growing presence of generative AI in education, and the university’s decision to offer students access to Microsoft Copilot. The council reviewed a proposed belief statement from the College of Education on the ethical use of AI. Dr. Nancy Carnevale presented the statement, which emphasized the following points:
Value: AI should foster creativity and deeper understanding.
Ethical Use: Clear, transparent guidelines are necessary.
Faculty Competence: Instructors must understand AI’s limitations.
Authentic Outcomes: Focus on originality and integrity in student work.
Leon Wilson raised concerns about the need for explicit instructions on proper AI use. He suggested, "There should be clear guidelines on what’s acceptable and what isn’t, so there’s no ambiguity."
In response, Dr. Keister mentioned that detailed AI guidelines would be left to individual instructors but acknowledged the importance of direct guidance.
4. Quality Measures Self-Study Report
The council reviewed the recent Quality Measures Self-Study, conducted in collaboration with the state. Travis Pisershared key findings, noting that while the doctoral program meets expectations, there are areas for improvement:
Internships: Enhance internship experiences by updating assignments to reflect realworld tasks.
Dissertation Process: Ongoing improvements are necessary, with an emphasis on better preparation through writing and measurement courses.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): Ensure DEI discussions are more explicit in course syllabi.
Quote: "It’s there, but it’s not overt. We need to ensure DEI is actively discussed and not just running in the background," said Todd Hackett-Slimm
5. Discussion on Course Offerings
Leon Wilson noted a gap in foundational administrative knowledge for some students. "There’s nothing that gives you the basics, like what a district is, what a school board does," he said. Kathryn Brown agreed, suggesting a "glossary" of administrative terms. The council discussed whether this could be integrated into existing coursework, such as finance or law classes.
Devon Jacob added that some students do receive this information in specific courses but agreed that clearer expectations for instructors would help. Travis Piser emphasized the need for practical instruction over philosophical discussion in certain courses.
6. Changes to the Doctoral Program
Todd Hackett-Slimm outlined upcoming changes, including:
Consolidating the two innovation courses into one to avoid overlap.
Adding a dissertation component to the redesigned course.
Making EDL 8200 (Designing and Interpreting Instruments for the Dissertation) mandatory in the first summer.
Creating a follow-up course to support dissertation work in year two. Devon Jacob expressed support, particularly for the instrument course, saying, "The instrument course is extremely important, and the changes will streamline the program."
7. Current and Future Partnerships
The council reviewed several partnership updates:
Caesar Rodney Cohorts: Success has led to plans for another cohort in partnership with Postal Weight Middle School.
Cape Henlopen Cohorts: Two cohorts are currently in progress, with potential for a third cohort in Cape Henlopen School District.
Dual Credit Advantage Program: The program allows students in the School Leadership Graduate Program to earn doctoral credits, which they can apply toward future doctoral coursework.
Quote: "It’s really something we’re excited about… allowing students to balance work and academic commitments," explained Hackett-Slimm
8. CAEP Accreditation Process
The final agenda item was a discussion on the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) self-study. The program is collecting data through structured assignments to ensure continued national accreditation.
Faculty and students may be called upon to share experiences as part of the datagathering process.
Hackett-Slimm emphasized the importance of the accreditation, saying, "It’s crucial for maintaining the national recognition of our programs."
9. Closing Remarks
The meeting concluded with Hackett-Slimm thanking the council for their contributions. He encouraged members to reach out with any additional feedback, particularly on the AI integration and program changes.