Diversity Policy

 

The College of Education and Human Services, recognizing the value of a multicultural dimension to a student's undergraduate experience, established a Multicultural policy:  A potentially life-transforming exercise that immerses individuals as participant observers in diverse environments, which differ from their own.  An experience that makes students deeply value other cultures and instills in them greater sensitivity to issues of diversity such as race and ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, language, and exceptionality that affects teaching and student learning.  An experience that awakens in the student an awareness of his or her own value systems and assumptions about life. Upon entrance to the program, each student in teacher education will complete a self-assessment under the guidance of his/her advisor in order to determine an appropriate diversity plan.  The diversity plan will identify two areas of diversity that the student needs to investigate through a minimum of 20 hours of field experiences.  The two areas of diversity, ten hours of field experience in each, must be completed prior to entrance to the professional semester. Upon completion of each of the two field experiences, each student is required to submit a detailed written summary of one of the experiences.  The summary must include reflections on the value of the diverse field experience for the student’s academic and personal growth.  Prior to graduation, during either the professional semester (block II for secondary) or student teaching, each candidate will be assigned to a diverse teaching experience.  Candidates will be evaluated by cooperating teachers and field supervisors using the Student Teaching Competency Form, or the Professional Semester Evaluation Form, demonstrating effectiveness in teaching diverse student populations.  Each department of the College will be responsible for determining the method of implementation and oversight in order to fulfill the intent of this policy. 

 

Freshman Diversity Profile Plan

Stage II: Diversity Experience Varification Form & Diversity Essay Directions

Diversity Observation Guide

Diversity Experience Policy

Definition of Diversity Experience & Policy