Profile of the MLE program at WSU-
This is a young and a small program. Since the first Plan of Work was filled out in February of 1998, 28 students have been admitted into the program, 8 students from WSU have taken the State test (MTTC) and all have passed the test, seven of them on the first attempt.
A. Philosophy, Rationale & Objectives-
Middle level students are neither fish nor fowl. They are not a child and not a full-fledged adolescent. Experience and research has shown the middle level student has unique needs different from early childhood, elementary or high school. The Middle Level Education (MLE) program in the College of Education at Wayne State University is designed to develop professionals in teaching who understand those needs and can facilitate learning in the middle level.
The objective of the Endorsement program is to extend and focus the learning of persons who have already been certified as either elementary or as secondary teachers in the middle grades. The Undergraduate Minor, called an Area of Specialization at WSU, has the same objective for students seeking initial certification who plan to make the middle grades their teaching choice.
The Wayne State University College of Education has adopted a conceptual framework which states, in part, “The College . . . prepares urban educators who are reflective, innovative, professionals. . . . The urban educator is one who works in a large metropolitan area with people who are diverse by virtue of race, class, gender, and culture, including learning style and beliefs. . . . An educator is a facilitator of participatory learning, a mentor, a motivator, an innovator, a scholar, and an agent of change.” The MLE program, in its quest for diversity and interdisciplinary learning, shares all of these goals.
B. Sequence of Courses & Experiences-
While keeping in focus the needs of the middle level student and the framework of the College, the MLE program was developed. The program, either the minor or the endorsement, begins with Teaching the Emerging Adolescent in Middle Level Education (TED 5250), is an introductory 3 credit course which examines MLE standards through readings and other individual and group assignments.
The required courses are:
The Middle Level Program's goal is to train teachers who value learning, who will be coaches to their students and are able to meet with teachers and other adults to cooperatively plan school related activities. This is done so middle level students will learn in an atmosphere in which they become coaches to their peers and are able to plan school activities cooperatively with adults.
Not only is technology an integral part of the Conceptual Framework of the College, it is used throughout the MLE program, especially in Teaching the Emerging Adolescent in Middle Level Education. Not only must students design learning experience using technology, but they may only communicate with the instructor outside class using e-mail.
C. Variety of Instructional Approaches-
Students in the MLE program are taught to utilize several instructional approaches to address the various learning styles of students and organizational styles of teachers. Some examples are: cooperative (group) learning, multiculturalism, interdisciplinary learning, adolescent psychology, the teacher as learner as well as coach, the student as teacher, and teaming.
For those seeking initial certification at WSU, including MLE, the College of Education has identified 12 teaching competencies that are based on and aligned with the Entry Level Standards for Michigan Teachers (ELSMT) and the INTASC standards. All students are evaluated on these standards as they move through their field placements. In order to ensure that students have multiple opportunities to work with students with various learning styles, several assignments have been put in place.
1. Case Study - During their first pre-student teaching (five mornings a week) candidates select and study a student that needs adaptations to the curriculum. They describe the students and the accommodations made. They provide samples of work over time depicting the various instructional strategies and methods of assessment used.2. Portfolios - These case studies are included in the candidates' portfolios that are built on the 12 teaching competencies.
3. Lesson Plans - Throughout their pre-student teaching and student teaching candidates are required to write lesson plans to include adaptations for considering students on an individual basis.
D. Differences Between Elementary & Secondary Preparation-
The Middle Level Program is a minor/endorsement to either an elementary or the secondary level teaching certificate. Students will meet the requirements of these programs in addition to the requirements for the endorsement or the minor.
E. Gender Equity, Multicultural & Global Perspectives-
Due to the location of Wayne State University in the urban setting
of
Detroit, we are very conscious of the many cultures of the city and its
suburbs. We also are aware of and reflect upon the global
implications
of the various groups such as the Arab community and their connections
to the Middle East. WSU has also made as a part of its strategic
planning outreach to various parts of Africa. These perspectives
as well as gender equity are included in teaching at the College.
Multicultural perspectives are also very present in the the keystone
class,
Teaching the Emerging Adolescent in Middle Level Education.
Even though the numbers may be small, the variety of students is always
high, reflecting the diverse population of metropolitan Detroit.
All students seeking initial certification in MLE must take BBE
5000, Multicultural
Education (link to syllabus in .doc format).
This class has several purposes including providing techniques
for learning, understanding and integrating multi-cultural perspectives
into the curriculum (Teaching Competency #9).
Candidates also learn specific information about several of the
cultures
found in large numbers in the Metropolitan Detroit area (African
American,
Arab, Asian, Chaldean, Hispanic, Hmong).
Lastly, students seeking initial certification may do some of their
student teaching abroad. This allows a student who chooses such a
course to teach in a middle level setting in Finland, Turkey or Russia.
E. Methods of Student Assessment-
The students of MLE are taught and exposed to various methods
of assessment of their students besides the traditional tests and
quizzes.
Included in their assessments are: observation of student behavior,
authentic
assessment, individual and group assessment, reading level and the use
of portfolios.
A candidate for initial certification must develop a portfolio where they include multiple methods of assessment with one student over time and how curriculum is adapted for that student.