EDU 600: Teaching and Administering in Colorado and the States

Overview

Teacher and administrator candidates seeking licensure in Colorado must qualify by meeting the State Board of Education's (SBE) licensing rules and regulations, and by presenting evidence of content/endorsement expertise. In Colorado, only educator preparation programs that are approved by the state may prepare candidates for educational licensure. Students completing JIU's approved preparation programs may qualify to seek a license in Colorado or in other states that, by reciprocity agreements or other means, recognize state-approved preparation programs leading to state licensure.

Jones International University's educator preparation programs are approved by the Colorado Department of Education. However, only the licensure preparation degree programs – Principal and Administrator Licensure Degree (PALD), and Teacher Licensure Degree (TLD) – prepare students to meet initial licensure in Colorado.

Like many states, Colorado has developed performance-based standards for teachers and principals as well as model content curriculum standards for grades K–12. In addition, Colorado has adopted statewide student and school achievement standards under its Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). To be licensed in Colorado, teacher and administrator candidates must demonstrate their knowledge of state standards.

In this course, students learn how teaching, learning, and administering in Colorado are informed by the state's standards-based education principles and expected assessment outcomes, how Colorado's standards fit within the context of voluntary national standards or guidelines created by national education organizations, and how Colorado's standards compare with those established in other states. Students also learn how to qualify for state licensure.

Course participants develop and complete a portfolio project directly related to their interest in becoming a licensed elementary or secondary teacher, or a licensed principal or administrator. The purpose of the project is to help students learn about Colorado's content and performance standards, and those of other states; and to provide a useful resource students can carry with them as they pursue their educational goal of becoming a licensed professional.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe Colorado’s rules, regulations, and statutes for licensing educators; and compare these with those of another state.
• Describe the Colorado State Board of Education’s licensure and endorsement areas for teachers or administrators, and what procedures to follow to obtain licensure and endorsements.
• Identify the eight performance-based standards for Colorado teachers or 11 performance-based standards for principals.
• Identify Colorado Model Content Standards for K-12 curricula, and compare these with recommended national guidelines or standards established in another state.
• Describe how Colorado’s Student Assessment Program exams relate to the national assessment standards of No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
• Summarize Colorado assessment frameworks and compare key provisions to those of another state.
• Locate additional resources for state standards and licensing requirements.
• Exemplify and explain democracy in education, including the school’s role in developing productive citizens and in teaching the principles of a democratic republic.
• Promote teaching as a worthy career and portray various career paths in education, including local, state, national, and international options, higher education, public and private education.
• Evaluate performance and professional development options necessary to improve performance.
• Model and develop positive behavior and respect for the rights of others, and those moral standards necessary for personal, family, and community well being.

Course Requirements

• Power Point (if you choose to complete your project using this software program.)

Required Texts
EDU 600 texts are available from the JIU/MBS bookstore