East Carolina University’s Conceptual Framework for Preparing Education Professionals

Accreditation “ A process for assessing and enhancing academic and educational quality through voluntary peer review.”

Accreditation The teacher education programs at ECU are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

Accreditation NCATE accreditation informs the public that an institution has a professional education unit that has met state, professional, and institutional standards of educational quality.

Accreditation Members of the NCATE Board of Examiners visit the university to interview faculty, students, staff, graduates, and employers, and to gather information to evaluate the teacher education programs.

Accreditation The NCATE standards are the basis for the evaluation of the programs. They include: 1. Conceptual Framework 2. Candidate Performance 3. Unit Capacity

A conceptual framework establishes the shared vision for a unit’s efforts in preparing educators to work in P–12 schools. … Conceptual Framework

… It provides direction for programs, courses, teaching, candidate performance, scholarship, service, and unit accountability. …

Conceptual Framework … The conceptual framework is knowledge-based, articulated, shared, coherent, consistent with the unit and/or institutional mission, and continuously evaluated. …

Conceptual Framework … The conceptual framework provides the bases that describe the unit’s intellectual philosophy, which distinguishes graduates of one institution from those of another.

The mission of the School of Education is the preparation of professional educators and allied practitioners, including professionals in business information systems, counseling, electronic media, and librarianship. Significant to this mission is a strong commitment to three important related areas, all of which are realized through partnerships and other endeavors. These three areas are: the encouragement and nurturing of professional growth for educators and allied practitioners at all levels and in all areas of the educational endeavor; a continuing emphasis on and support for scholarship and research/creative activity; and service in all areas of professional education. Critical to such commitment is the promotion of effective teaching; staff participation in the improvement of schools; and, in concert with other state agencies, the development and creation of educational policy for North Carolina. COE Mission Statement

The mission of Teacher Education is to prepare and develop professionals through partnership with the educational community. Teacher Education is committed to the vision of preparing education and human services professionals who are academically and technically proficient; knowledgeable, skilled, and reflective in their practice; committed to the empowerment of all people to develop their full potential; and committed to the role of public education in a democratic society. Teacher Education Mission Statement

ECU’s Conceptual Framework Emphasizes that the preparation of Education Professionals is the responsibility of the entire university - not just the College of Education or The Office of Teacher Education

Core/Center “All” includes: candidates, K-12 students, teachers, administrators, other school personnel Aligns with the Teacher Education Mission Statement - Primary goal of all of our efforts in education.

Puzzle Pieces Includes the endeavors of the entire unit; our efforts influence more than just preparation. Interlocking pieces reflect interconnected nature of the activities.

Background “Reflective Education Professional” includes ALL education professionals - Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Social Workers, School Psychologists, Principals, etc.  All of our efforts are built on this foundation.

Teacher Education Theme: Can only achieve excellence, and empower all learners, through partnership with the schools and community.

Outer Ring: Depicts current areas of special emphasis in the unit. Flexible/fluid element of the framework that can change without altering the entire framework. Will reflect the changing needs of our learners.

1. ECU strives to prepare reflective education professionals, 2. who are capable of empowering all learners, 3. in all educational endeavors, 4. and achieving excellence through partnership. Strategy for remembering the Conceptual Framework:

1. I strive to be a reflective education professional 2. who empowers all learners, 3. in all educational endeavors, 4. and achieves excellence through partnership.