Advanced Programs Committee

Minutes of meeting on 4/18/00

In attendance:     Carolyn Finch, Assoc. Dean; Chris Bocklage, FA; Kaia Skaggs, TED; Jackie Tracy, L&C

Guest:  Joanne Caniglia, Math

Dr. Caniglia came to discuss the proposal for an M.A. in math education.  This proposal was developed using the state and NCATE standards.  It has been approved by the College of Arts and Sciences’ Science committee and will soon go before the whole college.  The new program is a revision to the M.A. in math to include a concentration in math education.  They wanted to strengthen the pedagogical content portion of the program.  Dr. Caniglia handed out the old program and new program and will provide revisions to the new program.

In response to the recommendation that EDPS 677 Research Techniques be a prerequisite for subsequent research courses, Dr. Caniglia felt that the suggestion was sound, but rather than make it a prerequisite (since the courses are taken by students in other degrees who would not take EDPS 677) they will say it must be taken before the restricted electives.  In response to the recommendation that a second education course be added to the pedagogical part of the program, Dr. Caniglia agreed in essence, but stated that this would be difficult since it is a 34 hour program already.  The concern about the lack of general pedagogical foundation remains.  It is quite likely that individuals enrolled in this degree program would be in positions such as curriculum directors or leaders in their schools or districts and would require broader pedagogical understanding.  In response to the recommendation that diversity be addressed more directly, Dr. Caniglia agreed that is a concern and that strategies need to be found to incorporate diversity issues more explicitly.  Some possibilities include adding a particular course, incorporating specific content and objectives within required courses, or perhaps a course added to correct a deficiency, that is, one that students would need to take if they could not document coursework in diversity.  Dr. Caniglia will investigate the possibilities.  They will also look at making diversity issues more explicit in terms of course content and objectives.

Other issues discussed were the following:

• Combining the Advanced Programs and Professional and Affiliated Programs committees - the Dean will be contacted regarding this possibility
• Meeting time for next year agreed to leave it as the 4^th Tusday at 3:30
• Members need to find out what happened to members of the committee who have not attended all year, e.g., music education; need to renew efforts to get full representation on the committee

The next meeting of the Advanced Programs committee will be September 26^th, 2000 at 3:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Kaia Skaggs, Secretary