Teacher Education Program

EDU 200  Introduction to Education
Surveys the field of education. Historical development, the requirements for admission into teaching, approaches and theory, problems of teachers, organization and administration, ethical and legal aspects and philosophical foundations of education are examined.

  • Examine your motivation for a career in education

  • Examine “models “ for schools and discuss how culture is transmitted

  • Describe characteristics of an effective school environment

  • Understand social issues that affect American education

  • Describe knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective teacher

  •  Know what teachers need to know about technology and its impact on education

  • Know how curriculum is chosen and developed

  • Begin to understand current political issues of schools

  • Develop a philosophy of education

  • Understand the history of education in America

  • Understand ethical and legal issues facing teachers

  • Explore job opportunities in education, including academic preparation needed

  • Articulate issues of school reform
Topics covered
      I. Reasons and Arguments For and Against Education as a Career Choice
           A. Necessary preparation
           B. Status in American society
           C. Personal gratifications
           D. Related careers
      II. Statistics and Trends Influencing Education
           A. Student/teacher ratios
           B. Analysis of results of national polls
           C. Enrollment
           D. Geographic areas
           E. Attitudes toward the public schools
           F. Others
      III. Exploration of Problems Confronting the Public Schools
           A. Financial public education
                1. Federal
                2. State
                3. Local
           B. Decline of academic standards and resulting public reaction
           C. Violence and vandalism in the schools
           D. Drugs as a problem
           E. Multicultural and social problems that impinge upon the schools
           F. Bilingual education
           G. Ethical dilemmas
           H. Others
      IV. Historic Background of American Education
           A. 1787-1899
                1. The Northwest Ordinance of 1787
                2. The Massachusetts Compulsory Attendance Law (1852)
                3. Kindergarten movement begins in 1873
                4. John Dewey at the University of Chicago (1894)
                5. Others
           B. 1900-Present
                1. The G.I. Bill of Rights in 1944
                2. Brown vs. Topeka (1954)
                3. Elementary and Secondary Education Act (1965)
                4. Native American Acts (1972-75)
                5. Bilingual Education Act (1964)
                6. Public Law 94-142 (1975)
                7. Vocational Education Act (1984)
                8. Others
      V. Comparative Education in a World Context
           A. The European scene
           B. Third World countries
           C. Japanese education
           D. Others
      VI. Major Philosophies of Education
           A. Perennialism
           B. Essentialism
           C. Progressivism
           D. Social reconstructionism
           E. Existentialism
           F. Others