Program Review for English as a Second Language (M.Ed.)

2006-2007 Recommendations

I. Strengths:

1. Faculty members well qualified.

II. Weaknesses:

1. Inadequate number of qualified faculty.

2. Inadequate number of students enrolled in program.

3. Faculty responsibilities stretched across Bilingual Education programs.

4. Limited program resources and facilities.

III. Recommendations:

1. Due to the limited faculty and low enrollment, this program should be eliminated.

2. Depending on future faculty and student interest, an emphasis in ESL could be considered at a future date.

3. Possibly offer continuing education short courses in the summer for public school teachers.

IV. Program Recommendations:

1. Eliminate the English as a Second Language (ESL) M.Ed. program.

V. Dean’s Comments (Michael Daniel):

I do not agree with the recommendation to eliminate the M.Ed. in English as a Second Language, at this time. There has been an inadequate number of faculty in the program, especially in the past three years, as a result of retirements and resignations. There was also a complete stoppage of recruiting during the time that one faculty member was away from campus on a Fulbright Fellowship. If all current faculty vacancies are filled, and if those faculty commit to the growth of all the programs in the department, there is the possibility of this degree remaining viable. Short of that commitment, I would then agree that the degree should be eliminated, but not the offering of sufficient courses such that currently certified teachers could obtain ESL endorsement as an “add on” their degree/certificate.

I request that the ESL program be given until Fall 2010 to reach 20 majors; if that is not achieved, I believe the M.Ed. degree should be eliminated but sufficient courses kept to allow an ESL endorsement for currently certified teachers.