A. Teacher Education Committee
The Teacher Education Committee shall function as the principal agent of the college in the planning and coordination of the teacher education programs of Calvin College and in providing broad faculty participation in all aspects of these programs. Accordingly, it shall review, develop, and recommend policy, curriculum, organization, and implementation of the teacher education programs to insure that these programs serve the needs of the students and the schools in which they will teach. It will implement the Teacher Education Program Assessment System. Furthermore, the committee shall keep both the faculty and the students aware of developments in the teaching profession, of changing standards, and of the professional performance required to meet the goals of the Teacher Education Program.
In implementing this mandate, the committee shall, among other things:
- Regularly review all undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs and auxiliary services relating to them to ensure that program goals are being met and that the teacher education unit assessment plan is being implemented appropriately.
- Supervise the participation of the various departments in the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs, review the courses and programs recommended by each, and establish administrative policy in such a way as to insure broad faculty participation.
- Encourage the development of new programs and courses when the need for these becomes apparent. Proposals for new programs and courses must have the support of the departments concerned and must be submitted to the Educational Policy Committee.
- Periodically review the standards and recommendations of the professional and learned societies, and make any needed recommendations for change in the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs.
- Review and recommend to the faculty standards for admission to, continuation in, and exit from the undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs.
- Process undergraduate and graduate student appeals in matters concerning admission, retention, and certification or general graduation requirements.
- Monitor implementation of the Candidate Support System.
- Monitor implementation of the Minority Recruitment and Retention Plan.
- Seek advice and feedback as needed from the Elementary and Secondary Program Committees.
- Meet at least twice per year with the P-12 and Student Advisory Councils.
Composition
Nine members: The Dean for Teacher Education, three additional members from the Education Department, four members from the teacher education unit at large, the Certification and Assessment Coordinator.
B. Student Support Subcommittee
The principal work of this subcommittee is to:
- Develop and monitor admissions, continuation, and exit procedures for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Implement the Candidate Support System for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Supervise the process for approving student teachers in the various departments within the unit.
Composition
- Two representatives from the Teacher Education Committee
- The Dean for Teacher Education
- The Student Support and Field Coordinator
C. Appeals Subcommittee
The Teacher Education Appeals Subcommittee will follow this procedure:
- The Appeals Subcommittee will request a report from the Student Support Subcommittee for each candidate who submits an appeal.
- The Dean for Teacher Education will present the reasons for the disqualification. This will be done in writing, including any supporting evidence.
- The student will present his or her appeal in writing and with supporting evidence.
- Other parties to the dispute may submit responses and documents.
- All parties may appear in person before the committee. The Dean for Teacher Education and the chair of the Committee must be notified if an appearance is desired.
- The Committee will discuss the matter and vote in a manner determined to be appropriate by the Appeals Committee. A simple majority is needed. The chair has the right to vote.
- The chair will notify all parties as to the outcome. The student will be notified by email and regular mail. The Dean for Teacher Education will maintain the files.
- Further appeals relating to issues of due process may be made to the college Academic Standards Committee.
- If the appeal involves ineligibility because of cumulative GPA, and if the GPA in question is below a 2.40, the student is not eligible to file an appeal. He or she should make plans to retake courses to improve the GPA.
Composition
Three members of the Teacher Education Committee, normally the chair and two other members appointed by the chair of the Teacher Education Committee. Normally, the chair of the Teacher Education Committee will chair the Appeals Committee.
D. Assessment Advisory Committee
The Assessment Advisory Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Teacher Education Committee in the planning, development, and coordination of all assessment initiatives necessary for accreditation and program evaluation. In implementing this mandate, the Advisory Committee shall meet on a regular basis to address the following topics:
- Oversight of the collection and compilation of teacher education program data. The data need to be connected to each program goal in order to determine progress in meeting the goals.
- Oversight of the collection and compilation of assessment data for each major and minor specialty program.
- Evaluation of the reliability and validity of current assessment measures, including inter-rater reliability on key assignment rubrics and clinical evaluations and the validity of the clinical evaluation content mastery section.
- Implementation of the eportfolio system in EDUC and content pedagogy courses. Oversight of faculty development relating to the use of the eportfolio.
- Implementation of the graduate program assessment system including the development of key assignments in all classes, review of clinical evaluations in programs with internships or practica, revision of the exit surveys to fit program goals, and implementation of our program review system at the graduate level.
The Assessment Advisory Committee reports to the Teacher Education Committee and to the Dean for Teacher Education.
Composition
Six members, as follows: Three members of the teacher education unit faculty, the Assessment Manager (committee chair, who will also be a member of the Teacher Education Committee), the Dean for Teacher Education, and the Certification and Assessment Coordinator.
Program Subcommittees: The Elementary and Secondary Program Subcommittees meet regularly to advise TEC on policy relating to the elementary and secondary teacher education programs. These are advisory committees according to the college governance structure. Membership is ex officio i.e. faculty are appointed to the committee based on their role in the teacher education program. They remain members of these committees until their role changes. In departments in which there are multiple teacher education faculty members, the appropriate department chair will determine who will serve as the representative on the Elementary or Secondary Subcommittees. If a position on a committee represents multiple departments (e.g. science, foreign languages); the chair of TEC will work with the appropriate department chairs to appoint a representative.
E. Secondary Education Program Subcommittee
The Secondary Education Subcommittee shall serve the Teacher Education Committee in the planning, development, and coordination of all Secondary Education programs at Calvin College. It shall ensure that these programs of the college are consistent with the educational policy of the college, state and national requirements, and the needs of the students and the communities which the college serves. In implementing this mandate, the subcommittee shall meet three times each semester to deal with the following topics:
- Program planning and evaluation.
- Program continuity, such as making sure that what is taught in earlier courses is emphasized in the pedagogy courses and is also carried out in student teaching.
- Secondary core courses: Ensuring that secondary education students receive an adequate background in the liberal arts content needed to teach effectively in secondary school settings.
- Major and minors: Ensuring that all majors and minors are well-planned sequences of courses and experiences that include content, pedagogical, and clinical knowledge necessary for professional competence in teaching or other professional education assignments.
- Evaluative data: Regularly monitoring evaluative data concerning the effectiveness of the program to ensure that program goals are being met and that the assessment plan is being implemented appropriately.
Composition
Thirteen members: A representative from the following major/minor programs: English/ESL, Math/Computer Science, Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science), World Languages (Spanish, French, German, Latin, Bilingual Education), Social Studies (History, Economics, Political Science, Geography); Art, Music, PE/Health, Religion and Theology, Social Sciences (Psychology and Sociology);Curriculum and Instruction, Content Area Reading; the Dean for Teacher Education.
All members should attend the first meeting of each semester. The chair may excuse members from subsequent meetings if the agenda items do not pertain to particular members’ roles and/or subject areas. Subcommittees may be formed as needed to deal with particular issues.
F. Elementary Education Program Subcommittee
The Elementary Education Subcommittee shall serve the Teacher Education Committee in the planning, development, and coordination of all Elementary Education programs at Calvin College. It shall ensure that these programs of the college are consistent with the educational policy of the college, state and national requirements, and the needs of the students and the communities which the college serves.
In implementing this mandate, the subcommittee shall meet on a regular basis to deal with the following topics:
- Program planning and evaluation.
- Program continuity, such as making sure that what is taught in earlier courses is emphasized in the methods courses and is also carried out in directed teaching.
- Elementary core courses: Ensuring that elementary education students receive an adequate background in the disciplinary content needed to teach effectively in multidisciplinary school settings.
- Major and minors: Ensuring that all majors and minors are well-planned sequences of courses and experiences that include content, pedagogical and clinical knowledge necessary for professional competence in teaching or other professional education assignment.
- Evaluative data: Regularly monitoring evaluative data concerning the effectiveness of the program to ensure that program goals are being met and that the assessment plan is being implemented appropriately.
Composition
Fourteen members: A representative from each of the following elementary pedagogy areas: Science, Math, Reading/Language Arts, Social Studies, Religious Studies, Art, Music, PE/Health, Communication Arts and Sciences, Curriculum and Instruction. Representatives of the following specialty programs: Early Childhood; Cognitive Impairment; Bilingual Education/ESL/World Language; the Dean for Teacher Education.
External Advisory Councils: Rather than having student and professional community members on TEC or each program committee, TEC is served by P-12 Advisory and Student Advisory Councils.
G. P-12 Advisory Council
The P-12 Advisory Council shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Teacher Education Committee in the planning, development, and coordination of elementary,secondary, and graduate education programs. It shall ensure that these programs of the college are consistent with the needs of the communities which the college serves and are aligned with state and national standards. In implementing this mandate, the council shall normally meet at least twice per year to advise the Teacher Education Committee on such matters as:
- The program philosophy, mission, and goals
- The program content and structure
- The program assessment plan
- Community relationships and needs
Composition:
Eleven members: Two elementary teachers; two middle school teachers; two high school teachers; two school administrators; the Chair of TEC; the Dean for Teacher Education; and the Education Department Chairperson. The committee shall include appropriate representation from the different constituencies served by the Teacher Education Program i.e. Christian and public schools; schools located in urban, suburban and rural areas; special and general education programs.
Members of the council will be appointed by the chair of TEC in consultation with the Dean for Teacher Education. This council reports to the Teacher Education Committee.
H. Student Advisory Committee
The Student Advisory Committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Teacher Education Committee in the planning, development, and coordination of initial and advanced education programs. It shall ensure that these programs of the college are consistent with the needs of the communities which the college serves and are aligned with state and national standards.
In implementing this mandate the council shall normally meet at least twice per year to advise the Teacher Education Committee on such matters as:
- The program philosophy, mission, and goals
- The program content and structure
- The program assessment plan
- Community relationships and needs
Composition:
Eleven members: Three elementary candidates; three secondary candidates; three special education candidates; two graduate candidates; the Chair of TEC; the Dean for Teacher Education; and the Education Department Chairperson.
Members of the council will be appointed by the chair of TEC in consultation with the Dean for Teacher Education. This council reports to the Teacher Education Committee.
