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Exhibit 1.1.D
Advanced Program Expected
Dispositions
The
advanced programs of Eastern Michigan University seek to create
an ethical environment that promotes teaching and learning
and fosters activities and
experiences that enhance students development of professional dispositions.
We believe that teachers and other education professionals are
change agents in the
schools and communities in which they work and that they must
demonstrate collaborative partnerships with students, colleagues,
parents and the broad
community. Moreover, students in advanced programs, as distinguished
from initial program students, should be willing to take on both
leadership and
advocacy roles to promote educational reform while safeguarding
students' well-being. We also believe that education professional
must appreciate and
practice the principles, ethics, and legal responsibilities of
the teaching profession (Fullan, 1993).
There
is substantial research that addresses the idea that
teaching is a moral endeavor, and
that the activity of teaching is itself saturated with
moral significance. In a review of this body of research, Hansen
(2001) notes that teaching embodies both intellectual
and moral dimensions, and the claim
that teaching is a moral activity calls attention to teachers'
conduct, character, perception, judgment, understanding,
and more. He observes the following: "Teaching
is undertaken by persons, each bringing to bear a particular
understanding of what education, students, and learning
are all about and each bringing
into the classroom an individual character as a human being.
Concepts such as manner, style, and tact illuminate
the moral importance of the person who occupies
the role of teacher" (p.841). Clearly
the ethical stance required of teachers is essential for other
educational professionals
as well.
Cox
(1982) reiterates this message in the following: "the fact that
a person is engaged in education implies that he has accepted
certain moral values. Inherent in education are such
things as a liberal respect for differing
opinions honestly held, accuracy in thought and expression, logical
thinking, genuine feeling, and a sense of truth to be
sought for and eventually found.
To these things an educator is committed by the very fact of
being an educator. His stance must include them if he
is to be credible" (pp.79-80).
Our
assessments reflect established criteria for the professional conduct
of teachers found in NEA Code of Ethics. Descriptions
of assessments of professional
dispositions are found within the assessment descriptions of
individual programs.
The professional dispositions for advanced programs are:
1. Adherence to professional ethics: demonstrates adherence to standards
of ethical conduct, fulfills professional obligations, assumes responsibility
for own decisions;
2. Collaboration: works effectively with professional colleagues, parents,
and other adults;
3. Commitment to diversity: values multiple aspects of diversity; respects
children and adults of various cultural backgrounds, ethnicities, religions,
sexual orientations, social classes, abilities, political beliefs, etc.
4. Leadership and initiative: assumes leadership roles in improving professional
practice, goes beyond what is expected, actively seeks
solutions to problems.
5. Professional advocacy: serves as an advocate in schools and in the broader
community to enhance educational opportunities for all students.
6. Professional demeanor: deals with conflict appropriately, posed and professional
behavior, responsive to professional feedback.
7. Self-reflection: reflects on and evaluates one's own experience and work,
is willing and able to recognize difficulties of deficiencies in one's professional
practice, seeks after knowledge and professional development.
8. Student focus: focuses professional decision-making around student needs
rather than personal preference, respects students as valued human beings.
Cox, E. (1982)
The moral
stance of the teacher. Journal of Moral Education. 11,75-81.
Fullan, M. (1993) Why teachers must become change agents. Educational
Leadership. 50, 12-17.
Hansen, D (2001) Teaching as a moral activity. In
Virginia Richardson (ed.) Handbook of Research on Teaching. Washington,
D.C.: AERA, 826-857.
For
additional
information
on the
accreditation/approval
process,
please
contact
Jerry H. Robbins,
Dean, at
734.487.1414
or by e-mail
at jerry.robbins@emich.edu.
If you
have any
questions,
comments
or problems
with these
web pages
or this
web server,
please
contact: coe_webmaster@emich.edu.
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