EDUCATION

Robert W. Fulton, PhD

Dear Jones International University School of Education Students,

I hope this letter finds you all well and happy. I have some exciting news that I hope you find interesting and helpful.

Teacher and Principal & Administrator Licensure Approved by the State of Colorado!

At its meeting on August 11, 2005, the Colorado State Board of Education (CSBE) determined that the content of the JIU MEd degree specializations for (1) teacher and (2) principal and administrator licensure preparation meet the requirements specified in Colorado’s revised statutes. In other words, the JIU “Teacher Licensure” and “Principal and Administrator Licensure” degrees are now recognized by the CSBE as “approved programs of preparation” for public school K-12 teachers and administrators. The Colorado content standards are recognized by 48 other U.S. states and territories.

If you would like to transfer into one of JIU’s new licensure degree specializations, please complete a “Change of Program Request Form.” Candice Morrissey, JIU’s director of admission services and student records, will review your request along with the courses that you have already taken at JIU.

What Does This Mean for You?

As you know, JIU is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a member of the North Central Association. Furthermore, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education first approved JIU to offer all of its MEd degrees in 2004, and this approval continues to date. In addition, many states require that a teacher or administrator graduate from an approved program of preparation, i.e., a preparatory program meeting a state’s specific requirements.

The JIU leadership team developed the MEd program to meet the academic requirements of Colorado and other nationally recognized teaching and leadership standards. Working through this process with the CSBE has helped strengthen our commitment to K-12 students and the teachers and administrators who serve them in public schools.

Now that this approval has been obtained, graduates of the program have at least two options when seeking positions with state public institutions:

Students may use the status of the JIU MEd program as an “approved program of preparation” within their own state’s licensing process, and/or
Students may pursue their licenses through the State of Colorado and seek reciprocal recognition of the Colorado license within their own state.

Note: Because each state holds different requirements, each student is ultimately responsible for understanding the steps s/he must take to become a licensed teacher and/or principal in a given state. However, having these degrees recognized as “state-approved programs of preparation” is very valuable to students. JIU stands ready to assist students by, among other actions, providing letters to present to state officials, as well as documentation of its regional accreditation status, Colorado Commission on Higher Education approval, and CSBE approval.

New Faculty

As the dean of JIU’s School of Education, I have the great fortune to manage an online faculty from a global talent pool. Since the School of Education is currently on track to more than double in size this year, I have hired three exceptional new faculty members who are excited to be part of this fascinating learning environment. Please welcome these remarkable people to the JIU family.

William Armosky, MEd, Northern Illinois University (Education Administration)
Professor Armosky is a retired teacher and administrator who has experience in elementary, middle, and high schools. He writes curriculum and teaches classes for alternative teacher certification for the state of Texas.

Sara Rogers, JD, Franklin Pierce Law Center (Education Law)
Professor Rogers has a private mediation and conflict resolution practice and serves as an education consultant and expert witness. Prior to going to law school, she directed special education services and taught in Washington and Georgia public school systems. Specializing in education law, Professor Rogers is an expert in state and federal special education statutes and mandates, including IDEA, ADA, and NCLB.

Richard Smith, PhD, University of Kansas (Education Administration)
Professor Smith is semi-retired, but continues to work as a consultant in marketing planning for education and educational research design and analysis. He has served as a teacher (physics, physical science, math, computer programming), as a superintendent, and, more recently, as a vice president for both Compass Learning Corporation and Educational Data Systems.

Course Changes

First, based on student and faculty input, we have significantly improved our research course. Beginning with the January 2006 session, JIU will offer EDU 522 Research and the Learning Organization to all students who are required to take a research course. In EDU 522, students—with the guidance of their professors—will prepare research projects that are both personally and professionally meaningful. Please note that EDU 522 replaces EDU 502, EDU-L502, and EDU 707. Of course, if you have already taken EDU 502, EDU-L502, or EDU 707, there is no need to take the new course.

Also based on student and faculty input, we have improved our negotiation and conflict resolution course. Beginning with the November 2005 session, JIU will offer EDU 517 Negotiation and Conflict Management for Educators to all students. In EDU 517, students—with the guidance of their professors—will complete projects that are both personally and professionally meaningful. Please note that EDU 517 replaces EDU 515 and EDU 551. If you have taken either EDU 515 or EDU 551, there is no need to take the new course.

Degree Changes

Based on students' requests and a survey of the market, we have instituted a new degree specialization called Higher Education Leadership and Administration. As they work through this degree, students will gain a better understanding of how adults learn, the evolution of higher education, and leadership strategies that are essential to the individuals who intend to shape the future of higher education. The Master of Education degree in Higher Education Leadership and Administration is designed to help students become familiar with relevant literature and apply theory to the practice of leadership.

If you would like to transfer into the Higher Education Leadership and Administration degree specialization, please work with your academic services counselor (Beth Hathaway at bhathaway@international.edu or Brad Ingram at bingram@international.edu). Beth or Brad will review your request and help you prepare a course sequence degree plan that works for you.

The Higher Education Leadership and Administration degree includes these seven core courses:

EDU 500 Preparing for a Lifetime of Learning
EDU 522 Research and the Learning Organization
EDU 531 Education Ethics and Social Responsibility
EDU 542 Strategic Planning for Educators
EDU 544 Business Management for the Learning Organization
EDU 550 Evaluation of Educational Technology
EDU 630 Needs Assessment for e-Learning Environments

. . . these four specialization courses:

EDU 681 Adult Learning Theory
EDU 682 Higher Education and Public Policy
EDU 683 Leadership and Organizational Change for Higher Education Administrators
EDU 684 The Future of Higher Education

. . . and this capstone course:

EDU 669 The Professional Adult Educator

Current students in the Adult Education and Administration degree specialization are welcome to take EDU 681, EDU 682, EDU 683, or EDU 684 as any of their electives.

Please keep in touch with me on your progress and let me know if there is any way I can be of service to you as you work to complete your degree. I am committed to your success and interested in learning additional ways to support JIU’s education students.

Sincerest best wishes,

Robert W. Fulton, PhD
Dean, School of Education

Phone: 303.784.8498
Fax: 303.784.8547
Toll Free (US only): 800.811.5663 (Ext. 8498)