Curriculum and Instruction

The purpose of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction is to provide regional, national, and international leadership in the study and improvement of teaching and learning in diverse educational settings. The one integrative theme throughout the department is teacher education, which focuses on educators as facilitators of learning for diverse populations (E-FOLD-P). The E-FOLD-P model is designed to:

1. Develop beginning educators as problem-solvers, critical thinkers, and decision makers. 
2. Develop beginning educators who understand and appreciate human diversity and global awareness.
3. Develop beginning educators who are reflective and continual learners.
4. Develop beginning educators who are facilitators of student growth and development.
   

The department addresses its purpose through three interrelated efforts: research, the preparation of teaching/practitioner professionals, and service. In carrying out these efforts, the faculty shares the goals to

(1) generate, disseminate, and apply new knowledge about teaching, learning and performance in various educational settings;

(2) identify the factors and features that contribute to the design and implementation of effective professional preparation programs in education;

(3) provide exemplary initial preparation and continuing education programs for teachers/specialists in the traditional major academic content areas and in selected related areas central to the operation of effective schools;

(4) provide the opportunities for advanced-level students in selected specialized areas to become highly competent scholar-researchers and scholar-practitioners;

(5) contribute to the educational development of school-aged, university, and adult students in the region through a variety of direct instructional programs; and

(6) enhance that development further by contributing to the design and implementation of exemplary school-based programs through the College of Education-School-Community partnerships.