Candidates display effectiveness in scholarly presentations.
Objective
Graduate Candidates Will Develop Skills To Make Scholarly Professional Presentations.
Candidates in the Curriculum and Instruction Masters of Education program will demonstrate skills in scholarly professional presentation by presenting research at professional conferences.
Indicator
Graduate Candidate Presentations
Annual number of Masters of Education graduate students presentations at professional conferences compared to 2013-2014 academic year. In our growing efforts to encourage research and thesis in our graduate programs, candidates will be supported in their efforts to complete action research and present their research at professional conferences. There is a rubric (attached to criterion) to measure the quality of the presentation.
Criterion
Graduate Professional Presentations
Increase in the number of professional presentations by the Masters of Education graduate candidates in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Three years ago was the first year for this goal and there were two presentations made by graduate candidates, so that is our baseline. Last Year that number increased to four. We want to attain higher numbers each year.
Last year we observed some areas where the presentations could be strengthened. We determined to spend more time teaching research techniques and strategies as well as provide more instruction in maintaining a logical order to the presentation. We are eager to determine if our interventions did strengthen the presentation.
Finding
Desired Competence Criteria Achieved
Areas were strengthened and presenters scored better than last year. The overall number of students was 8. Four presentations were at national conferences, two were state level conferences, and two were local presentations.
Action
Plan For Growth
The Office of Academic Planning and Assessment suggested that we provide specifics on what is being done to develop the students' abilities to present. The program will research and implement best practices for graduate candidates' research presentations. In addition, the program will update the rubric used for these presentations to reflect these best practices. The program will work to increase the number of national/state/local conference presentations.
Goal
Leaders In Curriculum Development And Instruction
Candidates will become leaders in the field of curriculum and instruction.
Objective
Candidates Will Demonstrate Knowledge Of Current Research In Curriculum Development And Instructional Strategies.
Candidates who demonstrate mastery have acquired the knowledge and skills to be leaders in curriculum development and instruction in their fields.
Indicator
Comprehensive Examinations
During the last semester of the masters program, candidates are required to take their comprehensive examinations. Each candidate must answer questions from a faculty-development comprehensive examination that integrates practice and theory. Faculty score the questions for accuracy of content, use of APA style and writing fluency. Candidates are then awarded either: High Pass, Pass, or Did Not Pass.
Criterion
Pass Scores
Candidates will receive "Pass" or "High Pass" on their comprehensive examination. These exams are blind scored by faculty in Curriculum and Instruction or the candidates' content area.
We worked on APA formatting for references and internal documentation, two weaknesses that emerged last year. We anticipate better scores in these areas.
Finding
Criterion Not In Place This Year
No students took comprehensive exams this year. Students are no longer required to take comprehensive exams. Current students conduct research in place of these exams.
Action
Removal Of Objective
Students are no longer required to take these exams. This objective will be removed.
Goal
Scholarly Candidates - Research
Candidates in the Curriculum and Instruction Master's of Education program presenting capstone research projects at the culmination of the program.
Objective
Graduate Candidates Capstone Project
Candidates in the Curriculum and Instruction Master's of Education program will demonstrate research skills presenting capstone research projects at the culmination of the program.
Indicator
Graduate Candidates Capstone Project
At the end of each candidate's Master's Degree program they are required to take CIED 5370 and CIED 5085. These two courses present educational research, introducing each candidate to the concept of conducting research. Each candidate is required to conduct a research project, write the project, and present the project to a panel of professors in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Criterion
Scores Of Pass
All candidates will have their research project reviewed and critiqued in preparation for the final presentation. Eighty percent of candidates will receive approval on their research project by the committee of C&I professors.
Two years ago, we determined to strengthen communication with students detailing the requirements of the Capstone research projects. This emphasis should increase the integration of research, writing, and publishing.
Finding
Desired Competence Achieved
Ninety-four percent of our candidates received approval for their Capstone Research Presentation. This is a fourteen percent increase from last year. The work is taken very seriously by the candidate, the professor teaching the class, and the professors serving on the committee.
Action
Continuous Improvement
The program will revise the rubric to specifically address best practices of educational research. The components of the revised rubric will provide the specific data needed to focus on areas of improvement. This was a suggestion by the Office of Academic Planning and Assessment's annual evaluation.