Lewis University College of Education Romeoville, Illinois Institution Comment Comments submitted by: Dr. Jeanette Mines, Dean, College of Education
Lewis University’s College of Education is nationally accredited through the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs (NCATE). The Illinois State Board of Education recognizes Lewis University’s teacher preparation programs and consistently certifies our candidates because they meet degree and certification requirements and demonstrate proficiency on multiple certification exams. School District administrators report a high degree of satisfaction with the level of knowledge, skills and dispositions of Lewis graduates. The College of Education prepares teachers who are knowledgeable, critical, transformative educators, multicultural educators and social justice advocates. True to the college mission candidates from diverse backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to enroll in education programs so they have the opportunity to become outstanding teachers. Our standards and proficiencies are rigorous and candidates are monitored throughout their education programs. Those who cannot meet the standards and proficiencies and/or do not have the dispositions to be excellent teachers are counseled out of the College of Education. Lewis candidates are prepared to teach in their certified fields. All elementary and special education candidates must successfully complete general education courses in mathematics, the sciences, the humanities, and the arts as well as methodology courses in those disciplines. They must complete rigorous education courses, field experiences and student teaching. They are prepared to teach reading, mathematics, science, and social studies, and can integrate the fine arts across the curriculum. Faculty of the College demonstrate competence and exhibit knowledge and expertise in the areas they teach and have extensive experience in the K-12 classroom enabling them to combine the best of theory and practice for all candidates. Lewis is a teaching institution with a strong emphasis on personal attention and positive relationships with the candidates as well as a focus on clinical supervision of candidates’ performance in the field. Scholarship and school partnerships are high priorities for faculty. The College of Education continuously engages in program improvement through comprehensive review of multiple sources of performance and standardized test data of candidates. This cycle of continuous improvement provides opportunity for departments to review, revise and enhance programs and course requirements. An example of this process is evident in the current focus in the College on integration of best practice to work with diverse learners in the classroom particularly students with special needs and English Language Learners. Constructive feedback about the education programs at Lewis University is welcomed. The College of Education has serious concerns regarding NCTQ’s methodology which focuses primarily on standardized assessment data of candidates and contents of course syllabi. We believe that these are inadequate to accurately determine the quality of coursework and field experience and the caliber of the students who attend Lewis University. The College of Education recognizes the complexity of political, social, ethical and economic issues related to education reform and supports collaboration among significant stakeholders to improve the quality of both teacher preparation programs and Illinois public schools.
www.nctq.org/edschoolreports
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