Strengthening Teacher Education in the Undergraduate Years
Campus Action Plan 1997-98
California State University Northridge
December 1997

1. LIBERAL STUDIES
   
   1. Streamline the Liberal Studies Curriculum
      • Create incentives for elementary teachers to work with College of Education and faculty from Colleges of Humanities, Science and Math, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Media and Communication and Health and Human Development in curricular revision teams
      • Identify specific courses in Liberal Studies for team collaboration between Colleges of Education and Science and Math
      • Develop goals and objectives for the Liberal Studies Program and review each course in the program against the state framework and the goals and objectives of the program
      • Create an accountability process in which faculty who teach Liberal Studies courses are required to design in-class projects and out-of-class assignments appropriate for the preparation of teachers
      • Encourage and provide incentives for College of Arts, Media and Communication to develop an integrated arts course for the Liberal Studies Program

   2. Identify all faculty who teach in the Liberal Studies Program
      

   3. Sponsor a One Day Conference in Spring 98 for Liberal Studies faculty and chairs from academic departments the offer Liberal Studies courses in order to:
      • Discuss the Liberal Studies Curricular Revision
      • Create expectations for content taught in classes
      • Distribute the State Standards to all faculty who teach in the Liberal Studies Program
      • Provide background information on the Liberal Studies student
      • Develop a number of strategies to asses teaching and learning in Liberal Studies.
      • Increase the use of variety of pedagogical strategies in the Liberal Studies curriculum

   4. Link the Center for Teaching and Learning with faculty in the Liberal Studies Program
      

   5. Arrange school visitations for faculty who teach in the Liberal Studies Program
      

2. FACILITATE AVAILABILITY OF LIBERAL STUDIES COURSES TO INCREASE STUDENT COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM
   

   1. Explore new methods of funding for the liberal studies courses (service courses)
      

   2. Work with department chairs to schedule the liberal studies courses at times appropriate for the students
      

3. UNDERGRADUATE PREPARATION OF STUDENTS FOR THE SINGLE SUBJECT CREDENTIAL
   

   1. College of Education will meet with department chairs and program directors for every department that offers undergraduate preparation for a single subject credential to
      

   2. Review high school standards with them
      

   3. Create opportunities for school visitations
      

   4. Link the programs with the Center for Effective Teaching and Learning
      

   5. Suggest Judge Julian Beck Grants to increase the emphasis on pedagogy in appropriate department courses
      

   6. Develop assessment strategies for their programs
      

   7. Discuss changing market demands for teachers
      

4. ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS IN UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS
   

   1. Prepare a plan for students who did not major in Liberal Studies to pass the MSAT and become eligible for the multiple subjects credential
      

   2. Assess the effectiveness of the preparation programs offered by the campus for CBEST
      

   3. Collect baseline data on the status of each undergraduate program that prepares students to apply for credential programs.

5. STRUCTURAL ISSUES
   

   1. Work with the Provost Council to coordinate the groups who are planning ways to assist and improve the Liberal Studies Program
      

   2. Create an emphasis in the All University Teacher Education Committee on improving the Liberal Studies Program
      

   3. Re-examine the role of the Liberal Studies Program Committee and its reporting lines