Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Teacher Educationin the United States

Mary Ariail, Ph.D. Department of Middle and Secondary EducationCollege of EducationGeorgia State UniversityAtlanta, GAmariail@gsu.edu

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Georgia State University

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

THE UNITED STATES

GEORGIA

GSUAtlanta

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Teacher Preparation in the United States

1. The future of teacher preparation in the United States; the Obama plan for education

2. Teacher preparation in Georgia– ITP (Initial Teacher Preparation) programs in

Department of Middle and Secondary Education at Georgia State University

– Overview of one 4-year program (BSE MLE)3. Implications for teacher education

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Teacher Education in the United States Current status and future trends

• Historically, decisions about education have been left to the 50 states.

• President George W. Bush – 2001: No Child Left Behind (NCLB); tied federal funding to state compliance with standard-setting and measurable goals

• 2008: Obama administration inherited legacy of NCLB• Both administrations support increased national

standardization (e.g., common core standards, edTPA)• Compliance from states is now driven by Race To The Top

R2T funding ($4.35 billion)

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Georgia is a Race to the Top State

Received $4,000,000 in federal funding to

improve teacher education

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Initial Teacher Preparation Programs (ITP) Middle and Secondary Education

Georgia State University

• Programs– 1 Undergraduate (BSE) in Middle Level Education– 1 Undergraduate program for Physics majors in

College of Arts & Sciences (BS Physics)– 7 graduate programs on campus (MAT)– 1 graduate program online (MAT)

• Total of 10 programs and approximately 180 ITP students in this department; 800 across the College of Education

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Middle and Secondary EducationUNDERGRADUATEBSE (4-8)•Concentrations (2)

– Reading– Language Arts– Mathematics– Science– Social Studies

BS Physics (6-12)

GRADUATEMAT•English (6-12)•Mathematics (6-12)•Science (6-12)•Social Studies (6-12)•Middle LA/SS (4-8)•Middle MA/SC (4-8)•ESOL (PK-12)•ESOL (PK-12) online

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) ProgramsUndergraduate Programs

• Undergraduate - Bachelor of Science in Education (BSE)– Certification to teach grades 4-8– Students select 2 concentrations: Reading, Language

Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies

• Undergraduate – Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics– Certification to teach grades 6-12– Degree is held in the College of Arts & Sciences– Concentration in Education

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP) ProgramsGraduate Programs

• Graduate – Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)– Secondary

• Certification to teach grades 6-12• English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies

– Middle Level • Certification to teach grades 4-8• Concentrations in Lang.Arts/Soc Studies or Math/Science

– ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages)• Certification to teach grades PK-12• Parallel online program (separate but equal)

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Overview of BSE 4-year Undergraduate Program

• Areas A-E: Undergraduate core (years 1 &2)• Area F: Preteaching (year 2: 2nd semester)• Area G.1: Content concentrations (year 3: 1st semester)

Admission to Teacher Education• Area G.2: Core Knowledge for Middle Childhood Education

(year 3, 2nd semester)• Area G.3: Pedagogical Knowledge (year 4: 1st semester)• Area H: Student Teaching (year 4: 2nd semester)

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Undergraduate Requirements for Admission to Teacher Education

• 2.5+ GPA (grade point average)

• Passing scores on the GACE Program Admission Test (may be exempted with high SAT scores)

• Completion of an online criminal background check

• Completion of liability insurance form

• Successful interview with program faculty

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Program CourseworkSemester 1 after Admission to Teacher Education

Area G.2: Core Knowledge for Middle Childhood Education (12 hours) (year 3, 2nd semester)

- EDCI 3200: Organization and Instruction of the Middle Grades Curriculum (3)

- EDCI 3220: Understanding and Supporting Middle School Learners (3)

- IT 3210: Teaching, Learning & Technology Integration (3)

- EXC 4020: Characteristics and Instructional Strategies for Students with Disabilities (3)

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Undergraduate CourseworkSemester 2 after Admission to Teacher

Education Area G.3: Core Knowledge for Middle Childhood Education

(12 hours) (year 4, 1st semester)

- EDCI 4600: Practicum I (16 hours/week in schools)

- EDRD 4600: Reading and Writing in the Content Areas (3)

- Two “Concepts and Methods” courses in two selected concentration areas (6):

- EDLA 4400: Language Arts (3)

- EDMT 4460: Mathematics (3)

- EDRD 4450: Reading (3)

- EDSC 4470: Science (3)

- EDSS 4480: Social Studies (3)

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Typical Schedule for Practicum Semester (G.3)

• Equivalent of 2 full days per week (16 hours/week)– 4th or 5th grade classroom: 4 weeks, beginning in

August– 6-8th grade classroom: 10 weeks, September-

December

• Afternoon and evening coursework (Monday-Thursday):– Reading/Writing Across the Curriculum – 2 methods courses– 1 additional content course

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Undergraduate CourseworkSemester 3 after Admission to Teacher

Education

Area H: Student Teaching (12 hr) (year 4, 2nd semester)

- EDCI 4700: Student Teaching (40 hr/week in schools plus (1) written assignments, (2) successful observations and (3) evaluations of professional behavior and dispositions) (9)

- EDCI 4640: Critical Issues in Middle Grades Education (3)

- May take one additional course, if needed

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Typical Schedule for Student Teaching Semester

• Full-time placement in one classroom: Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week, approximately 15 weeks

• Evening coursework:– Critical issues in Middle Grades Education – 1 additional content course, if needed

Note: Including observation hours in pre-teaching courses, teacher candidates spend more than than 800 contact hours in school settings by the end of program.

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

• Observations of numerous classrooms

• Detailed lesson plans

• Gradual increase in teaching responsibilities (individual, small group, whole class)

• edTPA: planning, instruction, assessment, videos of teaching

• Reflections on learning

Major Assignments for Practicum and Student Teaching

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Additional Program Requirements•Successful completion of all coursework with a B (84) or higher in all courses in Areas G.2, G.3, and H•Passing score on program portfolio

Additional Certification Requirements•Passing score on GACE Content Exam•Passing score on edTPA (beginning fall 2015)

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Key Components of the edTPA• A nationally available performance assessment of readiness to

teach• Three major components: Planning, Instruction, Assessment• Teacher candidates prepare, teach, and analyze 3-5

consecutive lessons.• Artifacts, including videos of teaching are submitted online to

external reviewers.• Passing score required for students to receive induction

certificate for teaching

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Graduate Program (MAT Degree)Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in content area

• 2.5 GPA• Passing score or exemption on GACE Program

Admission Assessment• Official score on GRE• 2 letters of recommendation• Goal statement/writing sample

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Major Implications for Teacher Preparation Programs

• More government control over program requirements– Must teach common core standards– New certification requirements– edTPA performance assessment

• More accountability for student achievement at all levels (including higher education)

• Increased linking of student achievement to teaching effectiveness of program graduates

• Use of federal funding to leverage compliance at state level; more government intervention and less state autonomy

Dr. Mary Ariail

Georgia State University

Contact Information

Dr. Mary AriailAssociate Chair, Department of Middle and

Secondary EducationGeorgia State University

mariail@gsu.edu (404) 413-8382