EPPAC Meeting
WVU
May 7, 2004
Attendees: Cindy Kelley, Serena Starcher, Donna Barksdale, Phil McClung, Cindy Gissy, Larry Keaton, Stephanie Cunningham, Esther Lauderman, Tina Edwards, David Lancaster, Candace DePriest, and Denise Honaker
Approval of Minutes
Cindy Gissy moved that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved; Stephanie Cunningham seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.
Addition of New Math Course to Curriculum
The West Virginia Math Task Force is recommending that additional math be added to higher education programs. The Education Division has discussed adding either geometry or statistics to the program. Statistics would be helpful for students enrolled in Education 320 and would free the instructor from teaching a segment of statistics within the course and allow time to cover additional instruction. Esther Lauder motioned that statistics be added to the elementary education curriculum; Larry Keaton seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
Modification of Curriculum
The elementary education curriculum is currently 128 credit hours. The addition of a math class will make the curriculum 131 hours. Members discussed methods of reducing the curriculum to 128 hours. A fine arts class combining both Art and Music Appreciation or a combination of History 152/153 could be developed. Both of these option require an across the board curriculum change.
Donna Barksdale noted that WVU Parkersburg is not a liberal arts school; therefore, why not give students a choice of fine arts classes. Esther Lauderman said that because of WESTest and other developments in the school system, a fine arts combination class or elective choice of Music Appreciation or Art Appreciation is a more viable option. Public schools generally bring in specialists to teach these subjects. Stephanie Cunningham suggested deleting philosophy from the curriculum. Cindy Kelley noted that philosophy was used to show critical thinking skills and was needed for ACEI approval.
The groups recommendation was to make allow students a choice between Art Appreciation and Music Appreciation. Donna asked about adding Theater Appreciation as an elective choice. Cindy Kelley will look at the theater class and will bring information to the fall EPPAC meeting.
Addition of Sociology 405 to Curriculum
Students are to choose between taking Race Relations or Gender. Sociology 405 is a new diversity course and covers a variety of social issues. The instructor has agreed to gear a segment of this course toward public schools. Donna Barksdale moved that Sociology 405 be added as another option to Race Relations and Gender; Larry Keaton seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Creation & Addition of Education 401L
Education 401 students have been meeting on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Williamstown Elementary and conducting their field experience in conjunction with these meeting times. The division would like to add Education 401L as a 0 credit hour course, similar to Education 330L. Adding this practicum will help grow the Partnership Development Schools. Stephanie Cunningham was enrolled this semester in Education 401 and stated that the practicum setting eased tension for students because of having a set schedule. Esther Lauder noted that staff at Williamstown loves having a set time for student field experience and that it has allowed an opportunity for modeling. Stephanie Cunningham moved the addition of Education 401L; Phil McClung seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.
Specialty Program Area Review
ACEI has approved the program for two years. NCTM asked for more information, which was sent mid-April. NCTM was complimentary of the program and how the report was designed.
NCATE Update