Southeastern Louisiana University College of Education & Human Development Conceptual Framework: Setting the Standard for Excellence through Best Practice

Conceptual Framework (CF): A conceptual framework brings/provides coherence to the experiences in a teacher education program. Erskine S. Dottin, 10/03

Mission: What we are charged to do—our reason for being Erskine S. Dottin, 10/03 The College of Education and Human Development exists to serve the regional, state, national, and global communities by developing effective professionals through implementing innovative and progressive programs.

Vision: A shared sense of the future (or the desired future) Erskine S. Dottin, 10/03 The faculty of the College of Education and Human Development prepares candidates to become effective professionals who set the standard for excellence through best practices.

Definitions to help understand the CF: Educational Unit: The College of Education and Human Development and its partners that contribute to the training and development of candidates Partners: Colleges of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences; Science & Technology; Nursing & Health Sciences; PK-12 schools; the professional community

Candidate: the Southeastern student The Effective Professional: Department of Teaching & Learning the Effective Educator Department of Educational Leadership & Technology the Effective School Leader Department of Counseling and Human Development the Effective School Counselor

The Learner: Teaching & Learning: the PK-12 student Educational Leadership & Technology: principals, teachers, students, supervisors, parents Counseling and Human Development: students, parents

Knowledge: Candidates have a thorough understanding of subject matter they plan to teach and a thorough understanding of the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of their fields, as delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards. Skills: Candidates have a thorough understanding of pedagogical and professional knowledge skills in their fields as delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards.

Dispositions: Candidates work with students, families, and communities in ways that reflect the dispositions expected of effective professionals as delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards. Knowledge Base: Theoretical foundation in the appropriate field for best practices as applied to developing the conceptual framework

The Components of the Conceptual Framework Knowledge of Learner (KL) Strategies and Methods (SM) Content Knowledge (CK) Professional Standards (PS)

Knowledge of Learner: Candidates’ understanding of the learner which is necessary to provide effective and equitable instruction The education unit prepares candidates to demonstrate and value sensitivity to the needs of all learners. Candidates acquire an understanding of learners as individuals and incorporate this knowledge as they progress through their educational experiences at Southeastern. As effective professionals, they continue that practice throughout their careers.

Strategies and Methods: Strategies and methods appropriate to each program within the educational unit which are necessary to develop effective professionals The effective professional demonstrates best practices through inquiry, creativity, and reflective thinking. Constructive and reflective problem- solving processes require the effective professional to consider and integrate complex information.

Content Knowledge: Candidates’ thorough understanding of the content appropriate to the area of specialization Candidates exhibit depth of knowledge in their area of specialization and breadth of understanding of general subjects within the educational unit.

Professional Standards: Established criteria that guide effective professionals in each discipline area The education unit is based on professional standards, enabling candidates to develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become effective professionals. University course objectives and learner outcomes are aligned with national, state, and institutional standards. Candidates incorporate professional standards as they progress through their educational experiences at Southeastern and continue that practice throughout their careers.

Examples INTASC standards: Louisiana Components of Effective Teaching National Science Teacher Association standards: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards:

Diversity is an integral part of each component of the Conceptual Framework. The unit provides opportunities for candidates to understand the role of diversity and equity in the teaching and learning process. The effective professional can help all learners and can teach from multicultural and global perspectives that draw on the histories, experiences, and representations of students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Technology is emphasized throughout all programs and is used to support and improve student learning. Candidates know and understand information technology. The effective professional uses information technology with learners and professional colleagues in the (1) delivery, development, prescription, and assessment of instruction; (2) problem solving; (3) classroom administration; (4) educational research; (5) electronic information access and exchange; and (6) personal and professional productivity.

SETTING the STANDARD for EXCELLENCE through BEST PRACTICE Technology Diversity The COEHD Conceptual Framework