Mar 29, 2024  
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Education


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The School of Education offers licensure and non-licensure concentrations in early childhood and elementary education.

The School of Education at Endicott prepares tomorrow’s teachers to make a difference in the world, one child at a time. Through a deep understanding of current best practices in teaching and research-based knowledge of child development and learning theories, Endicott education students learn to be responsive, reflective and ethical decision makers who are committed to empowering all learners.  Coursework and field experiences help students move theory into practice, value diversity, and provide opportunity for practical application of national and state standards in key subject areas.  Students are expected to become active contributors to their profession and to view themselves as socially responsible citizens in a democracy that values educational opportunities for all students.

All Education students complete the Liberal Studies/Education major, which provides them with a knowledge base in the arts and sciences as well as education. Within the major, students choose to pursue the fields of early childhood (PreK-Grade 2) or elementary (Grades 1-6) education.  Classes in each area are focused on the specific educational needs of the age group, including special needs, literacy, creative arts, math, science, technology, and children’s literature, as well as subject matter knowledge in history, literature, science, math, and geography. Students integrate their subject matter knowledge with their education courses, thereby developing the skills of a highly qualified teacher.   

Licensure
The School of Education offers two options for students interested in the field of education. The licensure concentrations in early childhood and elementary education lead to an initial teaching licensure from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Students pursuing the licensure concentrations must adhere to all of the program requirements.  The non-licensure concentration is best for those students interested in working with children in an educational setting not requiring state licensure.

Field Experiences
At Endicott, students in the School of Education complete field experiences beginning in the freshmen year and continuing each year through graduation.   Internship 100 and Internship 200 (120-hour classroom experiences in a school of the student’s choice) are usually done in the January of freshmen and sophomore years.  During these internships, students are encouraged to explore a variety of grade levels and settings including public and private schools in urban and suburban settings. Successful completion of both internships is marked by a reflective paper, journal, supervisor evaluation, and seminar meeting with a faculty advisor.

Students pursuing licensure complete a pre-practicum field experience during their junior year and a semester-long student teaching practicum in the fall of their senior year.  For students completing the non-licensure program, a semester-long internship is competing in the fall of the senior year.

Other opportunities available to students in the School of Education include participation in America Reads, leading after-school science programs, collaborating with the Beverly Historical Society in social studies instruction, visits to early childhood and elementary schools both at home and abroad, and volunteering with the Special Olympics .As part of their coursework, students assist local elementary school teachers with literacy instruction. Finally, students find positions as substitute teachers in local school settings.

Portfolio

ED 321 Portfolio is completed during the spring semester and is required of all juniors. The class provides third year education students with a semester-long focus on the transition to the senior year with a focus on the semester long field experiences of student teaching and internship.  Particular attention is given to the professional standards for teachers. Students develop a resume, write a philosophy of teaching statement, and create an electronic portfolio. Cooperating teachers, principals, and other individuals visit class over the course of the semester to provide juniors with input on student teaching, job-hunting, and other professional issues. At the end of the course, students receive their student teaching or internship placements for the fall semester and set up meetings with their cooperating teachers.  

Career Support  

School of Education seniors take EC 400 Senior Transition aimed at preparing students for job hunting in the field of education.  Throughout the semester, seniors update their resumes, write cover letters, learn interview techniques, refine their professional teaching portfolio, participate in mock interviews with principals and superintendents, and attend education job fairs.  Alumni return to campus to speak to graduating seniors about the first year of teaching, and guest lecturers present on applying to graduate school and managing a budget. By the end of the semester, seniors are fully immersed in their job search and prepared to enter the profession of teaching.

Senior Thesis
A two-semester senior thesis is completed by all education students. LSE 489 Senior Thesis I allows students to choose and study a topic of particular interest to them in the field of education and to write a comprehensive review of the literature on that subject. In the spring of their senior year, during LSE 490 Senior Thesis II, students focus on an aspect of their topic in more depth through the design and completion of a research project. Recent senior thesis projects have addressed the relationship between parenting and academic achievement, the problem of bullying, and gender bias in the classroom. Through the senior thesis, an expertise in a specific area of education is developed. Such knowledge distinguishes Endicott graduates and prepares them for further studies at the Master’s level.

Study Abroad
Education students are encouraged to study abroad through Endicott’s short-term programs (typically in January) or semester-long experiences.  Students interested in studying abroad must plan in advance with their advisor and the School of International Studies, paying particular attention to the junior year requirements of the pre-practicum experience.  Students who study abroad may need to make up courses in order to graduate on time.  Responsibility for doing so rests with the student.

Assessment
In keeping with best practices in education, the Endicott School of Education is committed to ongoing assessment of its program.  Students are expected to participate in formal and informal assessment of courses, field experiences, and other elements of their undergraduate experience.  Information collected from such assessments is used to make effective programmatic changes.




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