National Louis UniversityCoursework and practicum experiences address the needs of individual students and student clusters.National Louis (NL) University’s goal in designing its professional preparation options is to look at what people need. In its early care and education programs, NL considers what children need from their teachers, as well as what teachers need to be successful with young children. The following practices address those needs. Articulation Agreements: NL has articulation agreements in place with many of the Associates of Arts (AA)-granting institutions nearby, including City Colleges, Oakton Community College, McHenry County College, and College of DuPage. NL is committed to accepting community college preparation and to making articulation agreements work. NL recognizes that it takes a certain flexibility of mind and a relinquishing of control to be open to other coursework or student teaching experiences. They understand that the essence of a partnership is honoring what other institutions have done. Tailoring Programs to Specific Needs: A second practice instituted at NL is tailoring programs to meet the needs of specific audiences. For example, NL is currently forming a cluster of students who work in Head Start settings in a specific area of Chicago. Teaching staff will structure the course content so that it is relevant to the circumstances of the Head Start teachers/students in the cluster. NL staff will also conduct the classes for this cluster at a central Head Start program location to make the experience more time and cost efficient for the participants. Subsequent Certification Program: In the spring of 2005, NL began a “subsequent certification program” at the graduate level. The primary demand for this option came from teachers who have a Type 03 or special education certificate, who wish to earn a Type 04 certificate. NL’s “subsequent certification program” is a portfolio-based program. NL advisors review a student’s portfolio (developed in an NL course) that lists previous courses taken, related work experience, and other professional development completion. This portfolio is based on Illinois standards for early childhood teachers. Advisors then structure the coursework and practicum experiences needed to address gaps in the student’s portfolio to enable the student to receive the subsequent certificate. As a result of high demand for the “subsequent certification program,” NL plans to offer it online in the fall. Specialized Concentrations at the Undergraduate Level: NL is working on adding some specialized concentrations at the undergraduate level for those who do not wish to pursue Type 04 teacher certification. The proposed concentrations (which are pending final approval) are in infant/toddler care, early literacy, and child care administration—areas of expertise needed by teachers, programs, and children. Aim4Excellence™ Online National Director Credential: Aim4Excellence™ is a project of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University. It includes nine self-paced online modules that focus on the essential knowledge and skills early childhood administrators need to deliver high-quality programming for children. Participants can take only one or a few modules to build competence in a specific management area or all nine to earn the Aim4Excellence™ National Director Credential. Modules can be taken for credit or noncredit and link with NAEYC accreditation and the Illinois Director Credential. To learn more visit: aim4excellence.nl.edu. For More Information Please Contact: Rekha Rajan, EdD |
