Massachusetts School and District Profiles

Worcester State University
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2015
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Annual Goals

This report lists the annual improvement goals reported to ESE in the educator preparation program provider’s state annual report. Providers may report up to three goals for the upcoming year and are asked to report on progress made toward the prior year’s goals. Annual goals are reported in May of the academic year listed.

Annual Goals - 2015
Educator preparation program improvement goals for the upcoming program year
Goal #1 Develop a pipeline of students from underrepresented groups into teacher education through recruitment activities and by providing targeted support once candidates are on campus. This goal is tied to the university's retention and recruitment strategic goal.
Goal #2 Increase integration of technology into coursework in all initial license program options by purchasing ipads for faculty and student use and providing professional development opportunities for interested faculty. This goal is tied to the university's strategic goal of academic excellence.
Goal #3 Provide professional development activities for university supervisors and improve support for cooperating practitioners through online materials, face to face meetings and targeted supports from university supervisors. This goal is tied to university's strategic goal of Community and Global Outreach.

Annual Goals - 2014
Educator preparation program improvement goals from the prior year
Goal #1 Provided additional training for Program Supervisors, and Supervising Practitioners.
Goal #2 Develop an improved system to document advising of post-baccalaureate candidates.
Goal #3 Implement regular communication between Education and Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty to facilitate implementation of Common Core State Standards.

Progress Toward Goals - 2014
Progress made toward prior program year goals
Goal #1 WSU has implemented a roundtable discussion group for program supervisors. Held each semester the meeting has clear goals and continues to establish clarity of identification of best practices of student teachers. It also provides a forum for questions and answers to refine the supervising process.
Goal #2 A new process has been implemented. Students entering the program meet with program coordinators to review the program of study and sequencing of courses. Documentation of items discussed is recorded and noted on an advising record which is kept in the student's folder. The form is used as students make contact with program coordinators during aadditional meetings. Program folders are kept in the Education Department
Goal #3 Through the PARCC campus advisory team leaders,departments have been notified of curricular changes and are in the process of adopting SMK's to reflect the Common Core content where possible.

Annual Goals - 2013
Educator preparation program improvement goals from the prior year
Goal #1 Secure National Accreditation from TEAC and meet all ESE requirements to continue operation as a Teacher Preparation Program.
Goal #2 Implement the RETELL initiative by offering a course in SEI to undergraduates and graduate students seeking an initial license.
Goal #3 Continue working with the Mathematics Department on a "new" major in Mathematics Education for Elementary Teachers. This interdisciplinary major is intended to prepare teachers who are competent to teach in this new environment of the CCSS.

Progress Toward Goals - 2013
Progress made toward prior program year goals
Goal #1 Worcester State University had a joint visit from a TEAC Audit team and the DESE on October 29-31, 2013. All our programs met DESE regulatory requirements and remained in good standing. The final vote on WSU's TEAC accreditation is pending.
Goal #2 Between December 2013 and January 2014, we received word that the SEI courses that we designed for both the undergraduate and graduate level initial license programs were approved by the DESE. At the undergraduate level the course is ED 200 - Best Practices for ELL; and at the graduate level is is ED 909 - RETELL. In keeping with DESE regulations, all students seeking an initial license must take this course beginning in July 2014.
Goal #3 On March 18, 2014 the Department of Higher Education unanimously approved WSU's new major in Elementary Mathematics Education. This degree was developed to meet the need for better prepared teachers of mathematics in the elementary grades. Beginning with our spring 2014 preregistration, students will be guided and advised into this major that will be available in fall 2014.