Language, Literacy And Special Populations, Department Of
Goal
Faculty Excellence
The Department of Language, Literacy & Special Populations will create an environment conducive to research and writing, collaborative teaching, professional growth, and faculty community.
Objective
Research And Writing
Faculty will engage in collaborative research and writing.
KPI
Research And Writing Groups
Faculty groups for research collaboration and research and writing accountability will be established within the department. Our goal is to have at least four articles submitted for publication.
Last year we noticed some inconsistency in attendance at group meetings. We are working to improve attendance for 13-14.
Result
Research And Writing Groups
We met our goal of publishing articles through writing groups within the department.
Action
Research And Writing Groups
Faculty will be encouraged to apply for research funding through the College of Education's Associate Dean for Research Graduate Studies. Requirements for this funding necessitate that at least one non-tenured faculty member participate in the project. Faculty are also encouraged to present their work at the College of Education's monthly research events. Faculty will be notified and encouraged to attend trainings about grant writing and IRB submission that are routinely offered on campus.
Objective
Collaboration In Teaching
Faculty will engage in collaborative teaching
KPI
Co-Teaching
Faculty members will share expertise across classes of colleagues, which will be documented on the Chair's Evaluation of Teaching. Last year 60% of faculty shared expertise, up from 48%. Our goal this year is raised from 55% to 60% for 2013-2014.
Result
Collaboration In Teaching
60% of faculty shared their expertise with colleagues' classes.
Action
Collaboration In Teaching
Program Coordinators will meet monthly with faculty in their area to discuss instructional concerns and to share ideas for effective teaching. In program areas that include several graduate programs, degree program coordinators will meet at least twice during the year with their faculty to coordinate curricular alignment and to plan initiatives for instructional improvement. New and pool faculty will be assigned mentors to assist them in their teaching.
Objective
Scholarly Productivity
Faculty will engage in collaborative research and writing
KPI
Manuscript Submissions
Faculty will submit 2+ manuscripts for peer review and publication. Last year the two manuscript submissions was at 92%. The remaining 8% submitted one manuscript. We are intervening with a number of encouragements. We hope to see the 92% increase in 2013-2014.
Result
Manuscript Submissions
95% of faculty submitted at least two manuscripts for publication. This is an increase from last year.
Action
Scholarly Productivity
Faculty will be encouraged to apply for research funding through the College of Education's Associate Dean for Research Graduate Studies. Requirements for this funding necessitate that at least one non-tenured faculty member participate in the project. Faculty are also encouraged to present their work at the College of Education's monthly research events. Faculty will be notified and encouraged to attend trainings about grant writing and IRB submission that are routinely offered on campus. The deparment Assistant Chair will meet with non-tenured faculty twice yearly to outline expectations for scholarly productivity.
Objective
Professional Development
The Department of Language, Literacy & Special Populations will provide opportunities for professional development in areas of interest and need.
KPI
Faculty Concerns Committee
The Faculty Concerns Committee will survey faculty regarding areas of interest and need, and subsequently schedule faculty workshops. We plan to Provide books and book clubs for our faculty's professional development.
Result
Professional Development
From the survey, the Faculty Concerns committee learned that the majority of the faculty wanted to do a professional book club for our professional development. The department purchased a book, and the faculty participated in a book club.
Action
Professional Development
The book club will continue for this academic year. In addition to this, faculty will participate in developing the College of Education educational assessment program and analyzing the data that has already been gathered with respect to our teacher education program. Based on this data, faculty will identify areas of need for professional development in our department.
Objective
Faculty Community
The Department of Language, Literacy & Special Populations will provide opportunities for faculty to build professional collegiality and community.
KPI
Departmental Days
Fridays will be designated as Departmental Days, with the expectation of faculty being present and visible on those days in order to build professional community. All departmental faculty meetings will be scheduled on Fridays. Our goal is to have 90% of faculty present at each meeting.
Last year, attendance was at 90%. We hope to raise it to 92% for 2013-2014.
Result
Departmental Days
95% of faculty were present for each meeting.
Action
Faculty Community
Since our objective has been met with regard to Developmental Days, LLSP will now focus on other avenues for building community. Program area retreats will be carried out during the year to allow faculty to engage in analysis of program needs and plans. Faculty will be encouraged to attend LLSP events held here on campus, such as receptions for recognition of newly tenured/promoted faculty and retirees, and celebrations of teaching and social events. Time will be set aside at departmental meetings for open discussions obout our LLSP mission, vision, and faculty concerns.
Goal
Institutional Effectiveness
The Department of Language, Literacy & Special Populations will develop programs to meet student needs.
Objective
Program Options
The Department of Language, Literacy & Special Populations will provide instruction using a variety of formats: face-to-face, online, and hybrid.
KPI
Course Formats
More courses will be offered using an online or hybrid format. Last year we had seven courses go online which was an increase over the previous year. We will raise our criterion from seven to eight courses this year. We are also hoping to offer more Reading Doctoral course online.
Result
Course Formats
We offered eight new courses either online or hybrid, and we put two doctoral courses online.
Action
Program Options
We have met our objective for increasing online classes. We plan to pursue options for developing Academic Community Engagement through both our face-to-face and our online courses.
Goal
Program Quality And Effectiveness
The Department of Language, Literacy & Special Populations will improve graduate and undergraduate course offerings.
Objective
Collaboration With Curriculum & Instruction For EC-6 Program
The faculty of Language, Literacy & Special Populations and Curriculum & Instruction will discuss programmatic issues related to the joint EC-6 Program and 4-8 Programs.
KPI
Elementary Education Advisory Committee
The Department of Language, Literacy & Special Populations and Curriculum and Instruction will meet to discuss issues related to the EC-6 Program via the Elementary Education Advisory Committee. This was the goal in 2012-2013; however, we were unable to meet. Thus, our goal for 2013-2014 is to meet and for each problem issue, at least one appropriate solution will be identified.
Result
Elementary Education Advisory Committee
The committee did not meet this past academic year, but we have plans to meet in the fall to discuss program alignment.
Action
Collaboration With Curriculum And Instruction For EC-6 Program
We will continue to pursue the establishment of an Elementary Education Advisory Committee. After meeting with our Associate Dean for Teacher Preparation and Undergraduate Studies, we will submit names of faculty who will be willing to serve on this committee, and we will suggest areas of concern pertinent for both departments in preparing teachers. At least one faculty representative from LLSP will be present at each of these meetings.