School and Society

Conceptual Framework Overview

The outcomes for graduates of professional programs are based upon knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the following elements:

• Learning Environment – Graduates of West College of Education (GWCOE) create challenging, supportive, and learner-centered environments in diverse settings
• Individual Development - GWCOE demonstrate knowledge of individual differences in growth and development
• Diverse Learners - GWCOE recognize the value and challenges of individual differences:
• Reflection - GWCOE engage in individual and group reflection to improve practice.
• Collaboration, Ethics, Relationships - GWCOE develop positive relationships, use collaborative processes, and behave ethically.
• Communication - GWCOE communicate effectively both verbally and nonverbally through listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• Professional Development - GWCOE actively engage in continuous learning and professional development.
• Strategies and Methods - GWCOE use a variety of instructional strategies aligned with content to actively engage diverse learners.
• Content Knowledge - GWCOE demonstrate mastery of the content area(s) and remain current in their teaching fields.
• Planning Process - GWCOE demonstrate effective planning as part of the instructional cycle.
• Assessment - GWCOE demonstrate formative and summative techniques to plan, modify, and evaluate instruction.

Objectives

• Students will be able to explain and give examples of how changes in our country’s political economy and ideology have impacted public schools.
• Each student will begin to build his/her personal educational philosophy, based on information from Aristotle to contemporary influences.
• Students will be able to explain and give examples of instructional techniques effective with all learners.
• Each student will be able to explain and give examples from the Texas Beginning Educator Support System (TxBESS).
• Students will be able to explain and give examples from the Texas Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Professional Educators.

Speech and Language Assessment

Teachers have to be very efficient communicators to a wide range of children.  As an additional benefit to our students, our staff in the College of Education includes Cheryl Gilley.  Mrs. Gilley will provide each member of this class with a speech/language assessment.  This assessment will take about 5 minutes, although times may vary slightly individual-by-individual.

Should Mrs. Gilley ask you to schedule some appointments for remedial assistance, be sure to take advantage of this service.  Persist and practice until you overcome whatever habits you need to remedy.  Persons with lingering speech or language problems may not be allowed to student teach.

Field experience requirements for this course

• This course is designed to prepare students for all Texas certification areas.  Therefore, during this course you will spend at least two hours in an EC-6 classroom, at least twohours in a 7-8 classroom (junior high preferred), and at least two hours in a 9-12 classroom.
• Individual schools may have different lengths to their class periods. In most schools a class period is about 50 minutes.  Be sure to find out the length of a class period in each of the schools you are assigned for field experience.
• You must hand in three MSU Teacher Education Field Experience Validation Forms, one for each level of observations (EC-6, 4-8, and 9-12).  The teachers you observed must sign validation forms.  Without all 3 forms turned in, you will receive an incomplete (I) for the course.
• You will also have three written reports describing your observations.  You will submit these in a word document attachment through Blackboard (Web CT).  Follow the grading rubric for field experience reports.  Two excellent reports (A quality) will result in the last written report not being required.
• Your field experience report should contain positive examples of what you observed in the class.  If you did not see anything positive, go back on other days and repeat the observation until you see positive examples.
• Part of your field experience will have to be done on your own time.  We are allowed to excuse university classes to help compensate for part of the time necessary for your field experiences.  See the calendar for the specific classes being used for the compensatory adjustments.
• We generally schedule most field experiences in Wichita Falls schools.  If you would like to schedule yourself in a school outside of Wichita Falls, please inform Dr. Blacklock.
• We are most grateful to the teachers who allow us into their classrooms.  When leaving the classroom you observed, be sure to thank the teacher.

At least 35 clock hours of documented field experience are required before anyone is allowed to begin student teaching.  The documentation is achieved by using the goldenrod half-sheet named Field Experience Validation Form.  Professors often distribute them in class prior to your field experience.  Additional forms can always be obtained in the Dean’s office.  You should have the sheet signed at the time you do your field experience; this helps you avoid making another trip back to the school just for the paperwork. 

Many of your education courses will also have a course requirement for field experience.  One hour of classroom observation can count as an hour of field experience for your course and also count as an hour of field experience for the state requirement (if you use the validation form).

Field experience that satisfies the state regulation must be with a Texas certified teacher.  Be especially mindful of this provision if you do any field experience in a private school or a charter school, because the state law does not require them to use Texas certified teachers. 

Our Midwestern State University Certification Officer, Dr. Darter, will be glad to answer any questions regarding certification requirements.  You may also check the Texas Education Agency (TEA) website: http://www.tea.state.tx.us.

Learning Philosophy Statement

During this semester you will be required to write a Philosophy of Learning Statement. By writing the statement you will briefly explore your thoughts and ideas concerning learning and how it “happens” in schools.

Resume

All junior and senior students are required to submit a resume to the Career Management Center during School and Society.  Ms. Hakimi-Hood will present information on specifics of how to effectively develop your professional resume.

Class Participation

You will have many opportunities to participate in class. One way will be the requirement that each student is responsible for 1 current event regarding education.  Class participation is a very important part of this class and will be counted as 15% of your final grade.

The Texas Professional Development Appraisal System (PDAS) consists of two main dimensions: quality and quantity.  The Texas Academic Excellence Information System (AEIS) also rates both quality and quantity.  This course will also emphasize both quality and quantity. To earn higher marks, students will need to do both: higher quality work and a greater quantity of work.

The College of education requires you to maintain a G.P.A. of no less than 2.75. Also, principals generally want “B average” people or higher.  If necessary, contact the Registrar’s Office to find out your current G.P.A. 

Notice that earning a high grade in this course involves being good at everything. Successful teachers are well-balanced professionals. This is consistent with evaluations in the real world of the public schools.

Specifically for this class grades will be counted as follows:

• 3 observation papers @ 15% each =45% (10% deduction each class period late)
• 2 exams @15% each=30%
• Learning Philosophy Statement @ 10% (Completed)
• Resume (junior and senior) @ 5%
• Classroom participation grade @ 15% (freshman and sophomore)
• Classroom participation grade @ 10% (junior and senior)

Reports and other assignments will be submitted through WebCT assignment links, Wiki Spaces, or in hard copy based upon the individual assignment instructions.

There will be a 10% point deduction for each class period an assignment is late.

Consistent class participation is essential. Attendance will be taken at the start of every class. Upon three absences (for any reason) a student may be dropped from the course (see the Dean’s Student Alert form) or at the very least will definitely have a grade reduction. The point reduction in grade is as follows: 1 absence – no percentage reduction; 2 absences – 5 point reduction from final grade; 3 absences – 10 point reduction from final grade.  Being repeatedly late for class will also result in a grade reduction regardless of other marks. Any student who misses class (for any reason) remains responsible for contacting other students to obtain class notes, handouts, assignments, etc.  Perfect attendance will earn an additional 5 points to the final grade.

Writing Proficiency Requirement

To graduate from MSU all students must pass the Writing Proficiency Examination.  Check with the English Department (College of Liberal Arts Hall) for the date of the next test.  You are strongly encouraged to meet this requirement as soon as possible.

 Attitude toward our classrooms

• When you become a teacher you will take pride in your classroom and expect your students to similarly want to learn in an environment that is clean and neat.
• Here at MSU we will practice professional attitudes toward our classrooms.  Examples are:
• No food or beverages in Ferguson Hall classrooms or corridors.
• Make sure the floor looks good; pick up the classroom toward the end of class before you leave the room.
• Some of our instructional activities will require us to temporarily rearrange the furniture. Make sure the furniture is returned to a neat order toward the end of class before you leave the room.
• Some of our instructional activities may involve temporarily taping things to the walls.  Make sure the walls are clean before you leave the class.

Career management

MSU students are fortunate to have a very efficient Career Management Center here on campus. It is located on the second floor of Hardin South.  Mrs. Heidi Hakimi Hood will join us in class to describe the services of the Career Management Center and distribute materials. There will be a set of objectives for you to complete for Mrs. Hood.  They are part of the requirements of this class.

Cell phones

Cell phones can seriously interrupt instruction.  They should not be in the classroom at all.  I consider it especially rude to leave them turned on while in class.  If you must store one in your backpack or purse, be sure it is completely turned off.  If you have a special problem that requires you to use a cell phone, ask your professor for special permission, which will be only for that particular day.  If you have time to text message during class I can only assume you know everything you need to know and that you want to teach the class.

Confidentiality

In our teacher preparation courses we all learn from open discussion about school issues, problems, and possible solutions.  As we talk in class about school incidents it is vitally important to avoididentifying specific people or schools.  Even if an event happened to you, describe it as, “I heard this occurred in a school somewhere near here…” In written reports, too, do not include the real names of schools or school people; create fictitiousnames.  If you are in a class and think you may know which school someone might be referring to, keep your guess to yourself.  It is very unethical for you to reveal information from a class discussion.  Everyone at MSU has worked hard for years to nurture good relationships with our local schools.  Do your part to maintain them.

WFISD-DRESS CODE

This dress code is based upon that of the Wichita Falls ISD and is similar to the expectations of most area schools.  It should be followed by all MSU students who go to any public school for any MSU-related purpose (site-based classes, field experience, a practicum, tutoring, student teaching, etc.).

You represent MSU.  Make us all proud!

All school employees are expected to dress appropriately for their area of work so as to project a professional image.  Personal grooming is expected daily for all employees.  Students learn from example, and employees shall set the correct example.

Jeans may be worn on “spirit days” or other special days as approved by the principal.  No school wants tight jeans on MSU students.  If an MSU student needs clarification about what is acceptable and/or unacceptable dress in the school, the student should contact the department head, principal, or personnel director.

Exceptions to this dress code may include some auxiliary personnel such as employees who work in food service, maintenance, warehouse, and computer technology.  This exception does not include any teachers, office employees, administrators, MSU students, or other professionals.

For physical education and athletic classes employees shall dress for participation.  Appropriate attire may include shorts, slacks, or sweats.  Athletic-style P.E. shorts are not to be worn in the halls or any other place in the school building except where physical education or athletics classes are being conducted.

Appropriate undergarments are part of being professionally attired.  Teachers are expected to work closely with a diversity of students under a variety of conditions while maintaining respect and dignity.

A specific standardized dress code for a particular school building may be made by the campus vertical team and the principal.  Be sure you know the specific requirements of your particular school.

Piercing may be prohibited by the dress codes of individual schools.  Be prepared to leave home studs, rings, etc., if they would be visible or otherwise interrupt your instruction.

Most schools require that any tattoos must be covered while in school.  Plan accordingly.  For example, if you have a tattoo on your arm, do not include any short-sleeved shirts or blouses in your school wardrobe.

At no time shall employees’ clothing violate the student dress code that applies to junior and senior high students, which is policy FNCA (4-20-98) as follows:

            Prohibited:      Short shorts, athletic shorts such as wind shorts or bicycle shorts;

                                    Bare midriffs; halter tops; tank tops; see-through tops (such as

                                    Loosely woven or fish net materials); tight-fitting warm-ups or

                                    Jogging suits; sun dresses; miniskirts; sagging pants.

Plagiarism Statement

“By enrolling in this course, the student expressly grants MSU a ‘limited right’ in all intellectual property created by the student for the purpose of this course. The ‘limited right’ shall include but shall not be limited to the right to reproduce the student’s work product in order to verify originality, authenticity, and educational purposes.” from Student Handbook