COD Revamps Teacher Preparation Program

Beginning in 2015, courses in the Teacher Preparation program at College of DuPage will be aligned directly with the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards (IPTS) and student progress will be reported using these standards. One important component of the transition includes the use of standards-based grading (SBG) in many of its classes.

"College of DuPage prides itself on being a leader among community colleges in Illinois and throughout the nation," said COD Board Chairman Erin Birt. "With the Teacher Preparation program's adoption of the IPTS, we are pleased to be leading the way in this national trend focused on student learning and successful learning outcomes. More significantly, we are thrilled with the opportunity to better prepare our students for success not only in their education, but also in their careers and most importantly, as stewards of the education and future of our children."

Adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), the IPTS define the knowledge and skills that K-12 teachers must demonstrate to help ensure their students meet or exceed the expectations described by the Illinois Learning Standards. The IPTS requires teacher evaluation based on a broad range of factors, including the use of appropriate summative student assessment, collaboration, communication, content area and pedagogical knowledge, instructional planning and delivery, positive learning environments and sensitivity to student diversity, as well as advocacy, leadership and professionalism.

Assistant Professor of Education Shannon Brown said one of the biggest differences between SBG and traditional grading is the climate and atmosphere of the classroom.

"With the SBG model, the students have the opportunity to turn in assignments, gain feedback from the instructor and revise their work until they reach mastery of the subject," Brown said. "This alleviates the frustration that stems from missing assignments, tests that need to be curved or students picking and choosing assignments based on point value."

Student and teacher performance has been a hot-button topic in recent years with calls for reform in educational methods and assessment procedures. Over the last several years, the ISBE has set in motion numerous initiatives aimed at student success including the application of internationally benchmarked learning standards, a new assessment system aligned with college and career readiness standards, and program and policy changes intended to improve teacher and school leader effectiveness. In 2010, despite opposition from teachers unions and educators, Illinois legislators passed an amendment to the Illinois School Code known as the Performance Evaluation Review Act. This legislation requires that student performance and academic growth count for a significant portion, up to forty percent, of a teacher's total professional evaluation.

While traditional grading systems evaluate students' growth based on a combination of academic achievement and behaviors, SBG reports achievement and behaviors separately. According to Assistant Professor of Education April Zawlocki, SBG offers several advantages over the traditional model, one of the most important being the focus on student learning, rather than on punitive measures, rote memorization or "point-chasing."

"It is extremely powerful for a student to understand how they can improve," said Zawlocki. "Are they struggling with academic content or a lack of time management impacting their work completion? In a traditional grading system, we cannot answer these questions, but in a standards-based grading model we can. Our students will not only leave the classroom knowing which standards they have mastered, they will also know the standards on which they need to improve."

Zawlocki said that the program's new grading system will not only help students excel in the classroom, it will also offer a substantial advantage as the students enter the workforce.

"SBG is a national movement in the K-12 education system, which our students are preparing to enter," Zawlocki said. "Since our students will already be familiar with SBG, they will have a considerable advantage over other teacher candidates. In addition, we provide students an Employability Report Card which assesses a variety of soft skills including attendance, collaboration and acceptance of constructive criticism."

The Teacher Preparation program at College of DuPage is designed to meet the needs of students planning to teach in elementary, middle school, secondary or special education settings. Students who successfully complete an A.A. or A.S. degree program at COD can transfer to a state-approved teacher education program in which they complete the education requirements for Illinois teacher licensure. The College also offers Enhanced 2+2 bachelor's degree programs in Elementary Education, Special Education, Elementary/Special Education and Early Childhood Education, which provides students the opportunity to earn an associate's degree from COD and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lewis University at a significantly reduced tuition rate. In addition, the College offers a 16 credit-hour Teaching Online Utilizing Technology (TOUT) certificate program which provides hands-on training for educators, managers, trainers and students who want to incorporate the latest technology into their curriculum.

Click here for more information on the Teacher Preparation program at College of DuPage.