Graduate School of Education and Human Development

1998 Amendments to Higher Education Act (HEA) Title II Section 207 Institutional Report 04/07/08

Section II: Prgram Information

Section III. Contextual Information

Mission & Conceptual Framework: The Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD) at The George Washington University is committed to providing the highest quality educational services to its students. We develop innovative research programs, contribute in diverse ways to local communities and the nation, and actively participate in the international community of scholarship. Our unique location in the nation's capital, a vibrant, multicultural and multinational center, offers a broad range of resources and opportunities to our diverse students and faculty. We believe that continuous self-examination and improvement are fundamental to the education and human development professions.

Four bridging concepts make up GSEHD's mission and frame all course work:

• reflective practice

• research & scholarship

• educational leadership

• community service

Teacher Preparation Programs: The Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education is one of three departments within the School. Eight programs are offered at the Master's degree level. All program completers* are not specifically reflected in this document's pass rates because of the U.S. Department of Education guideline that requires a minimum of ten program completers for reporting. For example, GSEHD's pass rate for the English academic content area was 100%. The School continues to produce a majority
of new licensees in high-need areas. Within the Teaching Special Populations category, 96% of GW-GSEHD completers passed the Teaching English as a Second Language assessment representing 73% of DC completers who passed. In 2004-2005, GSEHD had 152 traditional program completers of which 145 (95%) took the required tests for the District of Columbia. Students are directed to take the tests required by the District and this has resulted in an increased number of program completers taking DC licensure assessments.

Clinical Experiences: As a member of the Holmes Partnership, the School uses the 5th year program format to prepare teachers. With this model, candidates can focus on appropriate pedagogical methods for the duration of their program. Extensive clinical experiences are designed through a variety of partnerships with schools throughout the
Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland metropolitan area. Of the few professional development schools in the United States serving emotionally and behaviorally
disabled students, two are partners with the GW Graduate School of Education and Human Development.

Student Characteristics: GSEHD's teacher preparation programs reflect the metropolitan area's ethnically diverse, internationally-oriented population. At least 30% of the student enrollment in the School's teacher education programs meet this criteria.

Admissions: The Department of Teacher Preparation and Special Education uses the admission criteria established for GW and GSEHD. A minimum Quality Point Index (QPI)
of 2.75 of a possible 4.0 and a 50th percentile score on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or on the designated subtests of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required for clear admission. Praxis I™ scores were considered for admission beginning in 2004. A passing score on the Praxis I™ is required for a clear admission. The standard application requires a statement of purpose, reference letters and transcripts. Each student's application is individually reviewed and no student will be denied admission based solely upon a single criterion.

Accreditation: The Graduate School of Education and Human Development is accredited by the State Education Agency-Board of Education of the District of Columbia and the
National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). All of the teacher preparation programs have been approved by the State Education Agency- Board of Education of the District of Columbia.

Noteworthy Features: The Graduate School of Education and Human Development’s partnership network, Capital Educators, brings a vast array of opportunities to the School’s candidates; it facilitates clinical placements, standards alignment and professional development. Mid-career and transition programs serve individuals from other professions. GSEHD formulates solutions to current educational challenges. Significant external funding allows innovative program and course offerings. Both public and private, national and local sources award almost $16 million in external funding, which is available to support GSEHD programs and activities with 34 principal investigators currently researching or operating projects. The 2006 rankings by U.S.News & World Report places The George Washington University Graduate School of Education and Human Development 21st among graduate education schools in the country. This is the fourth consecutive year that GSEHD has been ranked in the top 25 graduate education schools.

* A person who has met all the requirements of a state-approved teacher preparation program. Program completers include all those who are documented as having met such requirements. Documentation may take the form of a degree, institutional certificate, program credential, transcript, or other written proof of having met the program's requirements. In applying this definition, the fact that an individual has or has not been recommended to the state for initial certification or licensure may not be used as a criterion for determining who is a program completer.