February 7, 1992
New Education Studies Department
prepares for national review in March
Matthew Levy
Copy Editor
Chelle Stinson
Staff Writer
The National Council for the Accredita
tion of Teacher Education, which is respon
sible for accrediting schools to give educa
tion certification, is coming to Guilford in
March to evaluate the Education Studies
Department.
Guilford's ability to certify students in
teaching is in doubt, due to new require
ments which have been added to the certifi
cation process in the shift from state to
national accreditation.
The Biology and Mathematics Depart
ments have pulled out of the program on
their own accord because of a lack of re
sources to meet the new requirements. Sev
eral other departments will not be involved
due to a lack of student interest.
Acting Mathematics Department Chair
person Rudy Gordh said, "The Math De
partment is now the smallest it has been
since 1974. We were feeling like we were
being asked io do this much more and didn't
Call days, evenings, and weekends (919) 759-9987
Classes starting now in Greensboro
8 STANLEY H. KAPLAN
A Take Kaplan Or lake Your Chances
feel we had the resources. I
am perfectly willing to do
exactly what I have always
done."
The most problematic
change requires that each de
partment certify one member
to be present to evaluate stu
dents during their on-site
teaching sessions. As it was, a
member of the Education
Department could have blan
ket certification to do this for
all departments.
Also, Guilford professors
are concerned that the highly specific na
tional requirements could stifle innovation
and uniqueness by forcing them to adhere to
a standard curriculum.
"The state wants to make sure we check
off all these requirements on a syllabi and
keep records," said Gordh.
One reason for the shiit in accreditation
from state to nation lies in the difficulty the
state has had in guaranteeing that its 40 plus
education studies programs keep to the higher
national standards.
News
There are several aspects ofthe department's
new program that are innovative.
The New P
•Requires a double major
•Participation in a cross-cultural internship, usu
ally experienced in a semester abroad program
•Maintenance of a portfolio recording the student's
ongoing development
•Participation in a wide variety of clinical/field
experiences
Originally, national accreditation was op
tional for NC programs, which needed only
the state's approval.
North Carolina is now one of only three
states requiring NC ATE (national) approval.
Chairperson of the Education Studies
Department Deborah Roose added that those
departments still in the program are meeting
the new requirements "out of the goodness
of their hearts." She feels that if Guilford
College as a whole wants to be involved, it
needs to give those departments additional
support.
IDS debate
continued from page 1
and ihai they be assigned to advisers in the
departments in which they intend to major
or in which they are interested..."
In his memo to the Clerk's Committee
and Faculty on the subject, he expresses
concern that the proposed course, like its
predecessoi, would be a hinderence rather
lhan a benefit to student Added course load,
he feels, delays the decided major from
taking courses essential to his 01 her study.
Also, those destined to change their major
are better off doing so early in their aca-
Seniors!!!!!
February 19th
10:00 am - s:oopm
Final chance to have senior photos taken.
Sign up in Founders lobby NOW!
ALSO, February 19 is the quote deadline for
submissions and changes.
Any questions? Contact THE QUAKER
ext.2609 or 2613.
THE GUILFORDIAN
International
Dinner
Club seeks to increase
awareness with event
Ashley Clifton
Stuff Writer
The International Relations Club
will hold its annual International Din
ner Saturday, Feb. 8 in Sternberger
Auditorium.
Dinner guests have either purchased
tickets or signed up to prepare a foreign
food dish for the affair.
"A lot of people signed up to cook,
as well as theclub members," said Rina
Luther, who is in charge of ticket sales.
"Even some faculty members are
opening up their houses for the club to
prepare food."
Local stores sue h as The Fresh Mar
ket have also donated food for the
event.
Enteitainment will reflect the club's
promotion of international awareness.
Latin students will perform a tradi
tional Latin dance.
International siudents from places
such as Japan and Brazil will also per
form pieces on the piano and guitar.
Sweei Diversion, ana cappeila gos
pel group, will also participate in the
entertainment.
dernic careers
Because of ihe open-ended nature of the
program and Guilford's "imaginative fac
ulty," Carroll questioned the intended simi
larity of the courses: "More commonality
could be achieved by restoring compulsory
weekly chapel."
Since time restraints prevented many from
speaking, another meeting has been sched
uled for Feb. 12, 3-4 p.m. The Curriculum
Committee will Like suggestions and opin
ions expressed at the meeting into account.
7