Commitment to Diversity.
The College of Education has a long history of commitment to and leadership within the community in the development of diversity initiatives. The College is committed to a broad range of diversity projects and initiatives.
A review of the Unit's conceptual frameworks for both initial and advanced programs reveals an integration of diversity related knowledge, skills, and dispositions throughout the conceptual framework. It is the goal of the Unit to integrate diversity content in courses, provide opportunities for students to participate in field experiences with diverse groups of students, and develop programs and practices that will nurture in candidates the knowledge, skills and actions necessary to work effectively in a pluralistic society. To that end, the conceptual frameworks address the following:
· (Standard 1) The need for candidates to be "caring and committed to all students' learning."
· (Standard 2) The need for candidates to be "knowledgeable regarding content and pedagogy . . . to establish appropriate learning goals . . . to create meaningful learning experiences" for all students.
· (Standard 3) The need for candidates to be "reflective in practice . . . to consider students and community when making educational decisions."
· (Standard 4) The need for candidates to "understand the ethical dimensions of teaching in a culturally diverse democratic society."
· (Standard 5) The need for candidates to "celebrate diversity-- adapt instruction and assessments to meet the diverse needs of learners; create opportunities for students to value and respect diversity; articulate an informed and thoughtful position on the purpose of schools in a culturally diverse democratic society."
The College of Education has a long history of commitment and leadership within the community in the development of diversity initiatives, as applicable to the advanced programs as to the initial programs. The College is committed to a broad range of diversity projects and initiatives. Knowledge of diversity is incorporated in the shared outcomes of the advanced programs and within individual program objectives. Each program incorporates study of and commitment to diversity in its program and assessments. Links to specific program information regarding diversity is found in Standard 4.